GEORGE NEWS - Unconfirmed reports of an aircraft suspected to have ditched in the sea at Victoria Bay last Friday caused quite a stir at the start of the weekend.
The NSRI in Wilderness were alerted of the alleged incident at about 14:00 the afternoon and emergency services were placed on alert.
A Skymed rescue helicopter was dispatched and the NSRI duty crew launched a sea rescue craft to investigate, but no sign of any aircraft accident was found at Victoria Bay.
According to Mike Vonk, NSRI Wilderness deputy station commander, the ARCC (Air Rescue Coordination Centre) initiated the investigation and George Airport Air Traffic Control (ATC) confirmed that all aircraft in the area were accounted for.
"During investigations ARCC were quickly able to determine, with the assistance of George Airport ATC, that a firefighting aircraft flying low level over the coastline at Victoria Bay had given eye witnesses the impression of an aircraft ditching in the sea. It was confirmed to be a false alarm with good intentions and all of the deployed rescue resources returned to base," said Vonk.
'We bring you the latest George, Garden Route news'
