A tragic incident unfolded on Wednesday evening at Voelklip, Herolds Bay, when a local fisherman, aged 70, was reportedly swept off rocks while angling during the low tide, Cape {town} Etc reports.
The alarm was raised shortly after 8:47pm, prompting a swift response from the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Wilderness and Mossel Bay crews, who were alerted to the emergency situation.
According to NSRI Wilderness station commander, Jonathan Britton, a coordinated search operation commenced immediately.
NSRI rescue swimmers from both the Wilderness and Mossel Bay stations launched the rescue crafts, St Blaise Rescuer and Spirit of Rotary, respectively, and NSRI rescue vehicles were dispatched to the scene.
They were joined by personnel from the South African Police Service, Western Cape Government Health Emergency Medical Services, and George Fire and Rescue Services.
Upon arrival, rescuers initiated a thorough search for the missing man, who was last known to be angling off the rocks as the tide turned.
An EMS rescue drone unit was deployed to conduct an aerial search, while members of the George Community Police Forum (CPF) arrived with a drone to further assist the rescue efforts.
Efforts intensified as police divers from the Water Policing and Diving Services were activated, joining in the search. Rescuers conducted extensive searches at sea and along the shoreline, even extending their efforts beyond the breakers in what were described as calm sea conditions.
During the operation, some of the missing man’s fishing gear was recovered, offering a glimmer of hope. However, as search and rescue operations persisted into the early hours of Thursday, the quest for the fisherman proved fruitless, with no signs of the man reported as of late Wednesday.
NSRI has vowed to continue the search in collaboration with police divers. Lifeguards will be on duty over the Easter Weekend to maintain vigilant oversight for any signs of the missing fisherman. ‘Our thoughts and care are with the family and friends of the missing man in this difficult time,’
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Picture: NSRI (Used for generic purposes)
