A fishing trip took a tragic turn for two men, resulting in one being found deceased and the other still missing.
The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) spokesperson, Craig Lambinon, has reported that the SAPS Water Policing and Diving Services (WPDS) and Table View SAPS are diligently continuing the search for 23-year-old Pierre Lotte and his three dachshund dogs along the Bloubergstrand shoreline.
Lambinon emphasised, “The missing man is last known to have been wearing a cream-coloured shirt and can be identified by tattoos on his inner arm. His family has requested privacy during this difficult time.”
Hein Köhne, the NSRI Melkbosstrand station commander, provided details of the distressing incident. At 7:30 pm, NSRI Table Bay received an alert from concerned relatives of two men and their three dogs who had not been in contact since 6:30 pm after embarking on a fishing trip on Tuesday afternoon.
Köhne explained, “It was determined that the two men, aged 47 and 23, hailing from Kathu in the Northern Cape, along with their three dachshund dogs, had been fishing at Kid’s Rock, off-shore of Bloubergstrand, near the Blue Peter Hotel.
“NSRI Melkbosstrand promptly activated crews to investigate. Upon arrival in the area and following a brief search, the 47-year-old man was tragically found lifeless on the beach near the Blue Peter Hotel.”
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He continued, “Two NSRI rescue swimmers and two BBSL lifeguards were deployed into the water to conduct a free dive search and to reach Kid’s Rock. However, the search of Kid’s Rock revealed no signs of the missing man and the three dogs.
“It is believed that they were fishing from Kid’s Rock and had been there the day before as well. We suspect that they had reached the rock at low tide, but during the incoming high tide, which peaked at 8:30 pm, they may have attempted to swim across the channel between 6:30 pm and 7:30 pm.”
During this challenging time, the authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward and assist in the search efforts. Individuals with relevant details can contact Table View SAPS at 021 521 3338.
As the search and rescue mission continues, the hope for finding the missing man and his dogs persists, and the community’s support remains invaluable in these trying circumstances.