On Saturday, 7 September, the body of a 20-year-old male, missing since 31 August, was recovered 1.5 kilometres off Wilderness Beach, Cape {town} Etc reports.
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After a group of paddlers spotted the body, the South African Police Services (SAPS) Water Policing and Diving Services (WPDS), with the help of the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Wilderness, recovered it.
The paddlers, on a route from Victoria Bay to Sedgefield, came across the floating body at around 9:16am and immediately raised the alarm.
The NSRI Wilderness Station quickly dispatched the rescue craft Ann Stratford to the scene. Upon locating the body, it was brought back to the NSRI rescue base, where it was handed over to the Government Health Forensic Pathology Services for further investigation.
A formal identification process has since confirmed that the body recovered was that of the 20-year-old male, who had gone missing along with a 17-year-old male while swimming at Victoria Bay on 31 August. The two had reportedly been caught in rip currents while swimming with a group of six friends.
Earlier in the week, on Tuesday, 3 September, authorities also recovered the body of the 17-year-old in Victoria Bay. Both bodies were taken into the care of forensic services for identification.
The rescue operation, which initially commenced on 31 August, involved extensive sea and shoreline searches, including efforts by NSRI rescue swimmers, George Fire and Rescue Services, and SAPS WPDS.
Despite multiple search attempts using free dive techniques, rescue craft and even a drone from George Fire and Rescue, the two swimmers remained missing until the recoveries.
The NSRI has commended the group of paddlers for their role in raising the alarm while extending their condolences to the families of both young men.
‘Our thoughts are with the families and friends during this difficult time,’ said Mike Vonk, NSRI Wilderness station commander.
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Picture: Brenton Geach / Gallo Images