The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) has confirmed that Police Water Policing and Diving Services located and recovered a missing body at Sedgefield during an ongoing search operation on Monday.
On Saturday, the NSRI Wilderness duty crew responded to a call in Sedgefield following reports of a drowning in progress between Myoli Beach and the Swartvlei River Mouth.
An extensive sea and shoreline search commenced for a 20-year-old man from the Eastern Cape, who had reportedly disappeared underwater after he was caught in rip currents while swimming with friends.
Despite an extensive search, rescue teams found no signs of the missing man on Saturday.
Following ongoing search efforts, rescuers recovered a body in the area on Monday morning. While formal identification of the body is in progress, it is believed that the body located and recovered by Police divers is that of the 20-year-old Eastern Cape man.
According to NSRI spokesperson, Craig Lambinon, WC Government Health EMS and Government Health Forensic Pathology Services attended the scene.
The body of the deceased man was taken into the care of Police and Government Health Forensic Pathology Services.
“Condolences are conveyed to the family and friends of the deceased man.”
Police have since opened an Inquest docket to investigate the incident.
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