Tragedy in Gqeberha as two separate incidents claim lives

A child drowned near Swartkops River Bridge on Christmas Day, while a fisherman was found deceased on Seaview’s shoreline the next morning. Authorities recovered both bodies, and investigations are underway.

SWARTKOPS RIVER BRIDGE:
 
At 15h56, Wednesday, 25 December, NSRI Gqeberha duty and NMB (Nelson Mandela Bay) water rescue network, were activated to reports of a local male child (age not known to NSRI) missing in the water at the N2 Freeway, Swartkops River Bridge.
 
It appears that 3 children were swimming in the water, near to the bridge, when they reportedly got into difficulties. 2 children were able to get out of the water but their friend was missing and the alarm was raised.
 
NSRI Gqrberha towed an NSRI rescue craft to the scene while NSRI rescue swimmers, CWR (Coastal Water Rescue), Blue Water Bay (BWB) lifeguards and a BWB IRB (Inflatable Rescue Boat), the SA Police Services and Police K9 Search and Rescue, responded.
 
During a search the body of the child was located and recovered from the water by Police divers. Sadly the child is deceased.
 
The body of the child has been taken into the care of Government Health Forensic Pathology Services.
 
Police have opened an Inquest docket.
 
Condolences are conveyed to family and friends of the deceased child.
 
SEAVIEW:
 
At 08h02, Thursday, 26 December, NSRI Gqeberha duty crew, the SA Police Services and NMB (Nelson Mandela Bay) Fire and Rescue Services, responded to Seaview, Gqeberha, following reports from Atlas Security of a fisherman, a local 53 year old male, deceased on rocks on the shoreline.
 
It appears that the man had been angling along the shoreline during the night and reportedly after failing to return home his wife had gone to look for him finding him deceased on the shoreline, she had flagged down a security vehicle and the alarm was raised.
 
On arrival on the scene the body of the man was located and recovered from the shoreline.
 
The body of the man has been taken into the care of Government Health Forensic Pathology Services.
 
Police are investigating and a Police Inquest docket has been opened.
 
Condolences are conveyed to the family and friends of the deceased man.