The deaths of a child and an angler over the Christmas period have rocked the local community in Gqeberha.
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Justin Erasmus, NSRI Gqeberha station commander, confirmed that on Wednesday, 25 December at 15:56, NSRI Gqeberha duty and Nelson Mandela Bay water rescue network, were activated to reports of a local male child (age not known to NSRI) missing in the water at the N2 Freeway, Swartkops River Bridge.
It appears that three children were swimming in the water, near to the bridge, when they reportedly got into difficulties.
Two children were able to get out of the water, but their friend was missing and the alarm was raised.
NSRI Gqeberha towed an NSRI rescue craft to the scene while NSRI rescue swimmers, CWR (Coastal Water Rescue), Blue Water Bay (BWB) lifeguards and a BWB IRB (Inflatable Rescue Boat), the SA Police Services and Police K9 Search and Rescue, responded.
During a search the body of the child was located and recovered from the water by Police divers.
Sadly the child was deceased.
The body of the child has been taken into the care of Government Health Forensic Pathology Services.
Police have opened an Inquest docket.
Condolences are conveyed to family and friends of the deceased child.
Deceased on rocks
Meanwhile, on Thursday, 26 December at 08:02, NSRI Gqeberha duty crew, the SA Police Services and NMB (Nelson Mandela Bay) Fire and Rescue Services, responded to Seaview in Gqeberha, following reports from Atlas Security of a fisherman, a local 53-year-old male, deceased on rocks on the shoreline.
It appears that the man had been angling along the shoreline during the night and reportedly after failing to return home his wife had gone to look for him finding him deceased on the shoreline, she had flagged down a security vehicle and the alarm was raised.
On arrival on the scene the body of the man was located and recovered from the shoreline.
The body of the man has been taken into the care of Government Health Forensic Pathology Services.
Police are investigating and a Police Inquest docket has been opened.
Condolences are conveyed to the family and friends of the deceased man.
About the NSRI
The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) is a registered non-profit organisation that is committed to drowning prevention and focused on saving lives, changing lives and creating futures for those threatened by drowning in South Africa.
We are unique in South Africa as the only non-profit organisation focusing exclusively on safeguarding lives and livelihoods in South African waters through education, prevention, and rescue operations. We envision a nation where drowning incidents are minimised, ensuring the safety of all.
The NSRI strives to innovate, constantly evolve, and extend our water safety initiatives through empowerment and visibility. Our volunteers are on call 24/7 and are reliant on donations and sponsorships.
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