NSRI Wilderness: A man is missing

Jonathan Britton, NSRI Wilderness station commander, said: At 12h49, Tuesday, 23 June, NSRI Wilderness duty crew were activated following reports of a drowning in progress along the shoreline, near Pacaltsdorp, between Victoria Bay and Herolds Bay.

NSRI Wilderness rescue swimmers responded directly to the scene while NSRI crew responded to Herolds Bay where the NSRI rescue craft V's Rescuer was launched.

The SA Police Services, George Fire and Rescue Services, ER24 ambulance services and WC Government Health EMS rescue squad responded.

On arrival on the scene a search commenced for a 20 year old male, from George.

It appears that a group of young men, friends, 2 of them are cousins, were fishing (angling) along the shoreline when the young man was reportedly swept off rocks by waves. One of them had run to a local nearby resort where residents at the resort raised the alarm.

A George Fire and Rescue Services JetRIB rescue craft joined the NSRI rescue craft in a sea search while an EMS rescue squad drone unit conducted an aerial search.

Police (WPDS) Water Policing and Diving Services were activated and joined in the search.

Despite an extensive sea, air and shoreline search there remains no signs of the missing man.

Police have opened an investigation.

Police divers (WPDS) are continuing in ongoing search efforts.

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