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The search is continuing for a man who was reported missing in the Kromme River at St Francis Bay on Saturday.
The NSRI said in a statement that at "NSRI St Francis Bay volunteer sea rescue duty crew were activated following reports of a man disappeared in the Kromme River, approximately 10 kilometres up river, after a small canoe that he and two friends were on reportedly capsized while the men paddled the canoe on the river.
"NSRI St Francis Bay volunteer crew who live on the river responded their own boats and NSRI St Francis Bay volunteer crew responded by road and the SA Police Services and Private Care ambulance services responded," said NSRI spokesperson, Craig Lambinon.
"On arrival on-scene a search commenced for a 45 year old local man who, according to the two friends, had gone missing under water after a small canoe that they were paddling on had capsized. The two friends had raised the alarm after they had managed to reach the shore. They were not injured."
"NSRI rescue swimmers were deployed into the water to free dive search and searches along the river banks and searches by boats on the river continued well into the night but despite an extensive search the man has not been found."
"It appears that the three men had taken the canoe for a paddle on the river when it capsized."
"Today, Sunday, 06th April, our NSRI St Francis Bay volunteers are assisting the Police with an ongoing search and have deployed their boats to assist the Police with the ongoing search. A Police K-9 dog search and rescue unit are also on the scene assisting in the search."
"A Police Dive Unit has been alerted. Police have opened an investigation into the incident."
