Search and Rescue Operation in Kowie River Ends in Sad Loss of Free Diver

At 08h44, Wednesday, 27 August, NSRI Port Alfred duty crew, the SA Police Services and Gardmed ambulance services were activated following reports of a 22 year old man missing in the Kowie River, approximately 3 kilometers upstream from the Kowie River Mouth.

2 NSRI rescue craft, Rescue 11 Alpha and Lotto Challenger, accompanied by an   NSRI medic, responded.

On arrival on the scene, it was found that there were three men at their boat where we believe 2 of the men had been free diving when one man had failed to surface while free diving - his friend was in the water conducting free dive search efforts.

NSRI Rescue swimmers were deployed into the water where during free dive search efforts the missing man was located and recovered onto an NSRI rescue craft and CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) efforts commenced and continued until the rescue craft reached the NSRI Port Alfred station 11 rescue base.

Gardmed paramedics, assisted by NSRI, continued with CPR efforts during which time a pulse was restored - en route to hospital in a Gardmed ambulance - CPR was resumed in the ambulance en route to hospital when the man went into cardiac arrest and on arrival at hospital doctors and nurses continued with extensive CPR efforts.

After all efforts to resuscitate the man were exhausted in hospital sadly the man was declared deceased by doctors

Police have opened an inquest docket.

It remains unknown what caused the man, from East London, to fail to surface while free diving.

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