The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) on Friday said that a man is believed to have drowned at Strand Beach.
According to Alan Meiklejohn, NSRI Gordons Bay station commander, at 09h00, Friday, the NSRI Gordons Bay duty crew were activated by the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA).
This was after reports of a drowning in progress at Strand Beach.
“Consequently, the sea rescue craft Boetie Woltemade was launched, an NSRI rescue vehicle and NSRI rescue swimmers, WC Government Health EMS, Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services and a Fire and Rescue Dive Unit,” Meiklejohn said.
In addition, the SA Police Services, Law Enforcement Marine Unit, GB Med Security ambulance service, the AMS/EMS Skymed rescue helicopter and local Neighbourhood Watch members responded.
Police Dive Unit was also placed on alert.
One man missing at Strand Beach
“On arrival on the scene, we found that two local adult males. They are believed to have been in the surf on a canoe, had reportedly gotten into difficulty.
“One of the men was safely ashore and suffering non-fatal drowning symptoms. He was taken into the care of paramedics while one man was missing in the surf,” Meiklejohn described.
“Despite an extensive air, sea and shoreline search, including in the water, the missing man hasn’t been found. A Police Dive Unit will continue in an ongoing search operation.”
Meanwhile, the injured man has been transported to hospital by EMS ambulance in a stable condition.
However, police have opened an investigation.
