Knysna Municipality
Authorities on the Garden Route have recovered the body of a man who went missing in the Knysna Estuary after his canoe capsized while fishing.
Phokela Lebea of the Garden Route National Park said his body was recovered just after 1 p.m. on Thursday.
An extensive search which began on Wednesday afternoon had to be called off late in the day due to poor visibility and “challenging conditions.”
Lebea said SANParks Rangers received an emergency call at approximately 15:20 on Wednesday, alerting them to a dire situation unfolding at the Ashmead Channel next to Kathy Park.
“According to initial reports, a young man in his early twenties was fishing when his canoe capsized. Amidst the turmoil, a second adult male, identified as a friend, bravely attempted to aid the distressed young man.”
“However, he too found himself in danger and was fortunate to be rescued by the SANParks Rangers,” she said.
Lebea said the search for the young man in his twenties resumed on Thursday morning, and his lifeless body was discovered “at approximately 13:05.”
She said the Park Manager for the Knysna Section of the Garden Route National Park, Pat Bopape, also thanked the SAPS dive unit, the NSRI, and SANParks Rangers for their efforts in recovering the body.
“We would also like to send our sincere condolences to the grieving family for their loss and wish the young man who tried to rescue the deceased a speedy recovery in hospital,” Bopape said.
