Pretoria - An extensive search to find a 44-year-old Pretoria man who went missing in Hartbeespoort Dam on Thursday night continued late into yesterday.
The man went missing in the dam during a family birthday celebration, his canoe capsized after getting caught in fishing nets while he was fishing 100 metres from shore.
National Sea Rescue Institute Hartbeespoort Dam station commander Arthur Crewe said: “National Sea Rescue Institute Hartbeespoort Dam and Strategic Rescue Unit are continuing to assist police in their ongoing search.
“At 8.10pm, Thursday July 14, National Sea Rescue duty crew were activated following reports that a man had gone missing in the water near Eagle Waters Broedestroom.”
Crewe said the Strategic Rescue Unit and the SAPS were involved in the search operation.
Yesterday he said: “Despite an extensive search no sign of the missing man was found.
“Family reported that he had disappeared under water after the boat overturned.”
Crewe said that on Friday and Saturday, teams, including the police and police divers, supported by a police vessel, the National Sea Rescue Institute, using the institute’s rescue craft, and the Strategic Rescue Unit continued on the extensive search operation.
Crewe said thoughts were with the family of the missing man at this difficult time.
The institute also reported a drowning on July 3, just off shore of the Hermanus Old Harbour.
Two adult females were located and declared dead.
Affinity Health has advised people to always be prepared and know what to do in the event of an emergency should they be in danger or close to water.
“All emergency numbers should be saved on your mobile or kept close for quick access.
“Never go swimming in an unsupervised swimming area because drowning incidents are unpredictable.
“Always choose swimming areas that have lifeguards on duty and walled tidal pools, and stick within dedicated swimming areas.
“It is very important not to try to rescue someone in a drowning situation as you can also be faced with danger.
“If you were at the beach and encountered someone who was in danger of drowning, immediately notify the lifeguard on duty.”
Affinity Health said life jackets were not only for children but for all ages, and they lessened the risk of drowning.
“Always wear a life jacket when boating and in water”, the organisation said.
Pretoria News