Aidan Wood, NSRI Port Alfred duty coxswain, said: At 14h06, Saturday, 6 December, NSRI Port Alfred duty crew were activated following reports of a drowning in progress in The Kowie River, Port Alfred.
NSRI rescue swimmers responded directly to the scene and the NSRI rescue craft Rescue 11 Alpha was launched.
The SA Police Services, Gardmed ambulance services and Ndlambe Municipal Community Protection Services responded.
It appears that members on a rowing tour to Port Alfred, from Johannesburg, who were in the vicinity at the time, had been alerted to (we believe) a male (unidentified) in distress in the water and they swiftly raised the alarm.
We believe that the missing person may have slipped down a slope on the river bank before disappearing under water in the river.
On arrival on the scene NSRI rescue swimmers were deployed into the water conducting extensive sweeping line free dive search efforts in cooperation with surface water and shoreline search efforts deployed by NSRI, Police and the emergency services.
Despite the extensive search efforts there remains no signs of the missing person that has not yet been identified.
Police WPDS (Water Policing and Diving Services), Police Search and Rescue, have been alerted to conduct ongoing search efforts and Police have opened an investigation.
We are appealing to anyone that may assist Police with information and in helping to identify the missing person to please contact the Police at 10111 or Port Alfred Police Station at 0466044700.
The missing person may have been a part of a group of youngsters that were reportedly seen swimming in the area earlier.
Our thoughts and care are with all those involved at this time.
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Daffy Neo
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