A FISHERMAN (21) who tried to cross the Mzimkulu river in Port Shepstone yesterday (Wednesday), got into difficulty and was swept away.
It’s believed he had been fishing with a friend and that they had tried to cross the river.
Police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Zandra Wiid said the police and emergency services searched until 6pm last night, but could not find the man.
Port Shepstone police divers, Warrant Officer Francois Pretorius, Warrant Officer Marc Wiid, Sergeant Rommel da Rosa and his patrol dog Kim, and Warrant Officer Gawie Nel, together with Med Evac Ambulance services and the Hibiscus Coast fire department rescue team, were all involved in the search. “They have resumed the search today,” said Lt-Col Wiid.
She said that the incident had happened where there was a sign indicating no swimming.
Police divers and other emergency services have been kept busy attending to numerous drowning incidents.
A team of police search and rescue members and divers yesterday responded to a call from Thabankulu in the Eastern Cape where a man was reported to have been swept away by a river.
“The extremely hot weather has had a role to play as people then tend to swim in rivers, dams and the ocean to cool off,” said Lt-Col Wiid.
She urged people to take responsibility and be cautious near the water.
