PORT ALFRED – A Port Alfred man has died and his grandson has survived after the boat they were travelling in capsized at the Kowie River Mouth in Port Alfred on 26 July.
According to National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) spokesperson Craig Lambinon, at about 08:23 on 26 July, NSRI Port Alfred duty crew were activated following eyewitness reports of a rigid hull inflatable boat that had capsized in the Kowie River Mouth, with two people reported to be in the water.
He said the duty crew responded to the NSRI Port Alfred Station 11 rescue base, where the NSRI rescue craft Rescue 11 Alpha was launched and the NSRI rescue vehicle was dispatched.
Lambinon said NSRI rescue swimmers, the South African Police Service, Multi-Security, Eastern Cape Government Health Emergency Medical Service, Gardmed Ambulance Services and Life First paramedics responded directly to the scene at East Beach.
He said it appears that, while exiting the Kowie River Mouth to go to sea, the boat may have been capsized by waves.
“On arrival at the scene, a boat was located capsized in the surf zone at East Beach. A local adult man was located and recovered from the water, where cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) efforts were commenced. Despite extensive CPR efforts, after all efforts to resuscitate the man were exhausted, sadly the man was declared deceased,” said Lambinon.
He said the survivor, the deceased man’s adult grandson from Gauteng, was located on the shoreline and transported to a local doctor.
Lambinon said he is recovering in the care of the doctor and family members.
“The body of the deceased man has been taken into the care of police and Government Health Forensic Pathology Services,” said Lambinon.
He said police have opened an inquest docket.
“Condolences are conveyed to family and friends of the deceased man. All care and compassion are with the family in this difficult time,” said Lambinon.
He said the capsized boat has been recovered and is in the care of police.
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