Man presumed drowned after West Beach swim
AMAN went missing and is presumed to have drowned at West Beach last Saturday after swimming with two friends at the no-swimming beach, known for its dangerous rip-currents.
THE NSRI were summoned at about 3.50pm after receiving reports of the three men being swept out to sea.
NSRI Port Alfred deputy station commander Stephen Slade said the NSRI rescue vehicle responded to the scene and the sea rescue craft Rescue Eleven Alpha was launched.
The SAPS, EC Government health emergency services, Ndlambe traffic service, Ndlambe fire and rescue services and Gardmed Private Ambulance Service responded to the scene.
“On arrival on the scene it was found that two young men, in their 20s, had managed to get out of the water without assistance and a young man, believed to be in his early 20s, went missing in the surf after witnesses to the incident saw him swept out to sea by a strong rip current surge and disappearing under the water,” Slade said.
“The two men who got out of the water were not injured.”
The men are believed to be students at Rhodes University. Police are investigating.
The NSRI eventually stopped their search for the missing man in the rough seas. A police dive unit continued the search. SAPS spokeswoman Captain Mali Govender said SAPS and emergency services searched the beaches until late on Saturday without success. A search resumed at low tide on Sunday, but no body has been recovered.