UPDATE: Family mourn the loss of brother, son after Midmar Mile tragedy
The family of Midmar Mile swimmer, Tristan Dennis, are still in shock after his body was discovered this morning.
A GLENWOOD family is finding it hard to come to terms with the loss of their son and brother, an aQuelle Midmar Mile swimmer who went missing during Saturday’s race.
Tristan Dennis was swimming in the company relay race and entered the water at 11:22, but after the race finished there was no record of him exiting the water at any place along the race.
Concerned friends who were swimming with him, including his best friend, James Cain, contacted race organisers after they waited for more than an hour for him to emerge from the water. The missing person protocols were implemented, resulting in a thorough search of all the medical facilities at the event as well as double-checking that he was not taken from the water by any of the lifesavers on the water.
Tristan’s family was also notified, including his mother and father, Veronica and Frank Dennis, and family members rushed through to Midmar to be close to the search. The SAPS Search and Rescue unit, under the command of Lt Jack Haskins, continued using all the possible daylight left on Saturday, and then again daylight hours on Sunday and Monday, to continue the search and repeat a check of all the land area.
Early this morning family members received the devastating news that SAPS divers had found Tristan’s body. Speaking on behalf of the Dennis family, Tristan’s sister-in-law, Candice-Lee Dennis, told the Berea Mail the discovery was ‘such a shock’. “Tris was a firm believer in God. We know without doubt where he has gone, and that he is in a better place.”
She said the ordeal that the Dennis family had been through since Saturday was ‘so unexpected’. “He trained hard for this race. He was well prepared and so confident,” she explained.
Dennis said Tristan was at his happiest over the past few months. “He had recently fallen in love, bought his first property and his dream car and gained access to his son, who meant the world to him. Everything was coming together for him.
“Time will never heal the pain; it will only soften the blow as we mourn the loss of an amazing friend, a treasured son, a dedicated father, an adored uncle and the best brother.”
Candice-Lee said Tristan was not just a brother-in-law but a childhood friend who she grew up with. “I have known him since we were 12 years old and I loved him dearly, as did everyone who met and got to know Tristan.
“The way he has left this world is quite fitting to him as a person and what he was about. With all eyes on him, he is leaving as a legend,” she said.
Candice-Lee thanked the local community and friends overseas for their incredible support and encouragement. She also appealed to them to continue to pray for strength for Tristan’s family and friends.
Hi emotional older brother, Tarquin Dennis, said: “I swam the race for you Tristan, and I have your medal to hang around your neck before we bid our final farewell to you. You told me almost a year ago that if one of us had to die you needed to go first before me, and now you have. I am so proud of you, for everything that you achieved and the way you lived your life. You will be sorely missed, brother bear, and life will never be the same without you. I will ensure that your legacy will live on through Kayden.”
