A Police Dive Unit and the South African Police Services are continuing in an ongoing search for a man, believed to be aged 30 and from Pretoria, who went missing at Strand Beach.
The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), Gordons Bay unit, began a search at 12.31pm on Saturday, December 7, after receiving reports that two men had been swept out to sea and were believed to be caught in rip currents.
Stand Lifesaving dispatched lifeguards to the part of the beach near the Lourens River and they launched their Stand Lifesaving rescue rigid inflatable boat. NSRI Gordons Bay released a rescue craft and dispatched rescue swimmers. Fire and Rescue Services Dive Unit rescue divers launched a rescue jet-ski and Marine Law Enforcement officers launched a rescue jet-ski to join the NSRI sea rescue craft in a sea search.
The shore crew conducted a shoreline search and air search was carried about by the EMS/AMS Skymed rescue helicopter.
A male, aged 27, from Johannesburg was found and transported to the hospital by an ER24 ambulance. He was in a serious but stable condition. Despite the extensive search, there remains no sign of the other missing man. The police have opened an investigation and their divers are engaged in ongoing search efforts.
There were additional incidents, on the same day, at Bikini Beach and Deep Blue.
At 7.52am, at Bikini Beach, Gordons Bay, a man and women were rescued by NSRI Gordons Bay after capsizing in a strong, off-shore wind. Following treatment from ER24 paramedics, no further assistance was required.
At 5.21pm, at Deep Blue on Strand Main beach, a man was believed to be missing. It was confirmed that this was a false alarm. The man had exited the water and walked home.
Image: Facebook/NSRI