Body of man suspected of taking his own life found at Bloukrans Bridge

The body of a young man believed to have jumped to his death was found at the Bloukrans Bridge in the Tsitsikamma region of the Western Cape on Thursday.

George Herald reports emergency services were dispatched to the bridge on the N2 highway at Storms River, on Thursday afternoon, Southern Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Chris Spies said.

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Retrieval

Spies said the 19-year-old left George in a Hyundai, arrived at the bridge and exited his vehicle, before he jumped.

“His body was located and a search and rescue operation activated,” he explained.

“The team proceeded with the recovery operation to the retrieve the body of the victim at first daylight on Friday 30 December.

“Plettenberg Bay police opened an inquest docket for further investigation.”

Second body in two months

Last month, a biker plunged to his death at the same bridge.

47-year-old Matthys Cornelis Bothma, from Gauteng, died in an apparent suicide “between 6 and 7 November”, Knysna Plett Herald reported last month.

Authorities arrived at the scene after being alerted to a motorbike parked in bushes near the Bloukrans Bridge.

A search ensued for Bothma’s body, which was later retrieved using air support after a three hour-long mission.

“This was one of the most difficult recoveries that our members have undertaken. As part of their duties, they risked their own lives by abseiling from such a precarious height. It is clear that these members are well skilled and trained in their field of search and rescue.

“The services of the SA Air Force is appreciated and we thank them for their assistance. The efforts of the entire team is highly commendable,” said Sarah Baartman District Commissioner Brigadier John Lebok.

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Edited by Nica Richards.

These articles first appeared on Caxton publications George Herald and Knysna Plett Herald’s websites, by. Read the original articles here and here.