Wilderness swimmer missing

A man who went missing while swimming off a beach in Wilderness on the Southern Cape coast has not been found, the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) said yesterday.

But a tourist who was caught in rip currents in the same area and was drowning was rescued by local surfer, Phillip Crankshaw.

NSRI Wilderness duty crew and emergency medical services were activated at 11.45am on Saturday following reports that a person was drowning at Lientjies Klip, Wilderness Beach, the NSRI said in a statement.

Sea rescue craft Clemengold Rescuer was launched and an NSRI rescue vehicle, a metro rescue vehicle and the South African Police Service responded.

They then began searching for the missing 26-year-old Oudtshoorn man .

The man was on a day trip to the coast with family and friends when he disappeared in the surf while he was swimming.

“Despite an extensive sea and shoreline search no sign of the missing man has been found.

“A police dive unit are continuing in an ongoing search operation.

“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the missing man in this difficult time.

“Police have opened an investigation,” the NSRI said.

The rescued Briton was taken to a nearby hospital for a check-up after the trauma of his near-drowing, the National Sea Rescue Institute added. – ANA