24/08/2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NSRI – STATION 14, Plettenberg Bay
NSRI – Plettenberg Bay – Saturday, 24 August. A local man is missing at sea:
At 12h42, Friday, 23 August, NSRI Plettenberg Bay duty crew were activated following reports received through a community whatsapp group of a drowning in progress at Stilbaai, between Robberg Nature Reserve and Kranshoek, near Plettenberg Bay.
A Kranshoek man (believed to be aged 30), had reached a residence above the cliffs of a popular hiking trail and the popular fishing coastline, where he reported that his friend, aged 22, also from Krasnshoek, had been swept off rocks by a wave at Stilbaai, while they were on the shoreline, and he was in peril in the water.
It remains unclear to NSRI the circumstances of the 2 men being at Stilbaai.
The man reported that he had tried to save his friend but after all attempts to save his friend and with no cell signal at the remote location he had made the difficult decision to run for help.
Covering a significant distance he reached a farm residence above the cliffs where he appealed to the residents to raise the alarm.
The resident, believed to be a local farmer, alerted Tech Security and NSRI was activated, along with WC Government Health EMS Metro Control and the SA Police Services (SAPS).
The NSRI rescue craft The Courtenay's Rescue and Free Runner were launched and responded to the scene.
NSRI rescue swimmers, an EMS rescue squad and EMS ambulance, the SA Police Services, our NSRI rescue vehicle and the EMS/AMS Skymed rescue helicopter responded.
Local Good Samaritan Duran de Villiers, on hearing of the incident, volunteered to respond aboard his private boat, from Knysna, accompanied by his aerial drone, to assist NSRI and the emergency services.
Duran is commended for assisting to volunteer in the extensive search efforts.
It was determined that because of the significant distance that the man had needed to cover to reach a place where the alarm could be raised some significant time lapse had passed since the incident had happened.
The friend had later been brought back to the scene by Police to point out exactly where his friend had been swept off rocks by a wave.
On rescue resources arrival on the scene, during the incoming tide, sea conditions were found to be rough and extensive search efforts were commenced.
An extensive sea, air and shoreline search has revealed no signs of the missing man.
SAPS WPDS (Water Policing and Diving Services) were activated.
SAPS WPDS are continuing in an ongoing search and Police are investigating the circumstances of the incident.
The friend of the missing man, who had reportedly earlier tried desperately to save his friend, before making the difficult decision to run for help, despite the significant distance he needed to traverse to raise the alarm was later transported to hospital by EMS ambulance in a stable condition for care for shock.
All care, compassion and thoughts are with the family and friends of the missing man in this difficult time.
Earlier, at 10h31, NSRI Plettenberg Bay medics and NSRI Plettenberg Bay duty crew, as well as Cape Nature rangers, had responded to Robberg Nature Reserve - to The Gap - where a 28 year old Mossel Bay lady had suffered an injury while hiking.
On arrival on the scene the lady, in good spirits and in the company of her fellow hikers, was found to be stable but unable to continue to walk because of the injury she had sustained.
NSRI and Cape Nature rangers took turns to "piggy back" the lady to the Robberg car park where, from there, being in a stable condition and not in any critical medical state, but in good spirits and in the good care of her friends, she was taken to hospital in Mossel Bay by friends using their private transport.
Later, at 16h17, NSRI Plettenberg Bay and SANParks rangers were activated following reports of a 33 year old Italian tourist lady who had suffered an injury at The Point, Robberg Nature Reserve hiking trail, while hiking.
NSRI rescue crew were attempted to be delivered to The Point aboard the NSRI rescue craft The Courtenay's Rescuer but in rough sea conditions that could not be achieved.
The casualty and her hiking party, with a tour guide, were near to The Hut at The Point.
Cape Nature rangers and NSRI medics hiked to the scene from the car park.
A doctor was amongst their hiking party, and he was assisting with medical care.
NSRI medics further assessed the injury and the lady was able to walk unassisted with regular rest intervals during the walk back to the car park.
An extraction by sea had been investigated (for the lady to be brought to The Point Beach to be transported aboard our rescue craft to Plettenberg Bay, but sea conditions were too rough to risk a sea extraction.
With the injured lady able and willing to help herself, in the company of the rescue party and her fellow hikers, without compromise she reached the parking area where she was then transported by friends, in private transport, to a local hospital for further care.
-ENDS-
NSRI EMERGENCY: 087 094 9774
RELEASED BY
Craig Lambinon
NSRI COMMUNICATIONS
Email: communications@searescue.org.za | Cell: +27 (0) 82 380 3800 |
National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) is a volunteer organisation that saves lives on South African waters through rescue services and water-safety…
