A 22-year-old man from East London has tragically died following a free diving incident in the Kowie River, approximately 3km upstream from the river mouth in Port Alfred.
On Wednesday at 08:44, emergency services were activated after the man was reported missing during a free diving outing with friends.
NSRI Port Alfred, the South African Police Service (SAPS), and Gardmed ambulance services swiftly responded to the call.
Two NSRI rescue craft, Rescue 11 Alpha and Lotto Challenger, were launched, with an NSRI medic on board.
Failed to surface
Upon arrival at the scene, rescuers found three men near their boat.
Two of the men had been free diving when one failed to surface. A friend was in the water, continuing free dive search efforts when NSRI arrived.
NSRI rescue swimmers joined the search and located the missing man underwater, retrieving him onto one of the rescue vessels.
CPR efforts were immediately initiated and continued as the man was transported back to the NSRI base.
Upon arrival, Gardmed paramedics, supported by NSRI medics, took over. A pulse was temporarily restored, and the man was rushed to hospital.
However, he went into cardiac arrest en route, and CPR was resumed in the ambulance.
Despite extensive resuscitation attempts at the hospital, the man was sadly declared deceased.
Authorities have opened an inquest docket, and the cause of the incident – why the man failed to surface while free diving – remains unknown at this time.
“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the family and friends of the deceased during this tragic time,” said the NSRI in a statement.
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