Update: Wilderness Body located and recovered by Police divers

NSRI – Sedgefield – Tuesday, 17 December. Update: Body located and recovered by Police divers: UPDATE: SEDGEFIELD. Police WPDS (Water Policing and Diving Services), during an ongoing search operation, on Monday, 16 December, Police divers, assisted by SAPS COP (Community Orientated Policing) volunteers, and NSRI Wilderness crew, located and recovered a body at Sedgefield.

While formal identification of the body is in progress, it is believed that the body located and recovered by Police divers is the 20 year old Eastern Cape man that went missing while swimming at Sedgefield on Saturday, 14 December.

WC Government Health EMS and Government Health Forensic Pathology Services attended at the scene.

The body of the deceased man was taken into the care of Police and Government Health Forensic Pathology Services.

Condolences are conveyed to the family and friends of the deceased man.

Police have opened an Inquest docket.

See original media statement below ...

NSRI – SEDGEFIELD – Sunday, 15 December. A man is missing:

Jonathan Britton, NSRI Wilderness station commander, said:

At 19h23, Saturday, 14 December, NSRI Wilderness duty crew were activated following reports of a drowning in progress at Sedgefield, between Myoli Beach and the Swartvlei River Mouth.

NSRI Wilderness rescue swimmers, NSRI Sedgefield lifeguards and the SA Police Services responded.

The NSRI rescue craft Lavinia was launched from the NSRI Wilderness satellite rescue station in Sedgefield.

An extensive sea and shoreline search commenced for a 20 year old Eastern Cape man, who had reportedly disappeared under water after being caught in rip currents while swimming with friends.

Despite an extensive search there remains no signs of the missing man.

Police WPDS (Water Policing and Diving Services) were activated and Police divers, assisted by local Police, NSRI Wilderness and by NSRI lifeguards are continuing in an ongoing search.

Thoughts, care and compassion are with the family and friends of the missing man in this difficult time.