The NSRI said that the body of a man who had been missing at sea at St Francis Bay since the 4th of January has been found.
NSRI spokesperson, Craig Lambinon, said that body of the man was recovered from the ocean on Sunday.
“The NSRI can confirm that the body of a 28-year-old man that went missing in a drowning accident at St Francis Bay has been recovered by NSRI St Francis Bay duty crew aboard sea rescue craft late on Sunday afternoon,” Lambinon said.
He said the body was spotted floating in the water about 300 meters off-shore in the vicinity where the man went missing.
Several other people caught up in the same rip current were brought to safety by lifeguards, NSRI rescue swimmers and a surfer who assisted in the rescue.
Lambinon said that the man’s body had been taken into the care of the Forensic Pathology Services and police have opened an inquest docket.
Meanwhile, Lambinon said that the NSRI had been informed that a Pink Rescue Floatation buoy had been used by a bystander to rescue two children from drowning at West Beach, Port Alfred.
He said NSRI Port Alfred was activated but eye-witnesses then confirmed that no further assistance was required and no one was injured in a non-fatal drowning accident.
Lambinon said that the Pink Buoy was returned to its post.
The Pink Rescue Buoys made news last week when three youngsters were seen on CCTV footage making off with one of the Pink Buoys from a Jeffreys Bay Beach, sparking concern from the NSRI.
It was however returned several days later following a blitz on social media and the ‘thieves’ apologised for their actions.
