GEORGE NEWS - Despite efforts by local swimmers, surfers and emergency services to save a man who got into trouble in the sea at Herold’s Bay yesterday, Saturday 13 November, the man disappeared under the water and is still missing.

According to Mike Vonk, NSRI Wilderness deputy station commander, their crew was alerted about a drowning in progress at 11:15 yesterday morning.  

“Two local bystanders and a surfer had entered the water in an effort to assist a male from Gqeberha, who was being swept out to sea caught in a rip current. Local man, Rennie Pringle, was running towards the water to assist when he was handed an NSRI Pink Rescue Buoy, stationed at the beach, by a young local girl. Another man, Dave Cammachie, wearing flippers and using his body board, together with a local unidentified surfer on his surfboard, swam after the man in an effort to save him, but before they reached him the casualty disappeared under water,” said Vonk.

Other local surfers had also reacted and they joined the search efforts.
A sea rescue craft, stationed at the beach, was launched in an attempt to find the man, while another rescue craft was towed to the scene from the NSRI base in Wilderness.

“Both sea rescue craft were launched and they commenced a search while NSRI Mossel Bay, at sea at the time conducting routine training exercises, diverted their sea rescue craft St Blaize Rescuer which joined in the search,” said Vonk.
During the search the NSRI became aware of an Indwe Aviation helicopter which was in the air at the time, returning to George Airport from the Dana Bay vicinity, who also joined search efforts.

Unfortunately, despite an extensive air, sea and shoreline search there remains no sign of the missing man. The search continues this morning.

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