73-old doctor missing after boat capsizes at Witsand

A 73 year-old man on holiday at Witsand is missing after his boat is believed to have capsized  yesterday evening.

Photo: Witsand/NSRI

The boat was later found on the river but despite an extensive search – that is still ongoing – the man has not been found. His family has released his name as that of as Dr David Evans, (not a medical doctor).

He retired many years ago as a technician from Groote Schuur Hospital. He and his wife are from Stellenbosch and recently relocated to the Strand.

Rob Wilson, NSRI Witsand deputy station commander, says at 5.30 pm , 9 February 2013, NSRI Witsand volunteer sea rescue duty crew were activated following reports of a small boat being swept out to sea at Duiwenhoks River Mouth, Puintjie, Vermaaklikheid. This is a barely accessible remote nature reserve settlement, 12 km East of Witsand.

“Our NSRI volunteer sea rescue duty crew launched our sea rescue craft Queenie Payne and some of NSRI volunteers were dispatched by road to the scene. The SAP responded and the WC Government Health EMS was placed on alert.

“On arrival on-scene a search commenced for the man who was swept outt to sea on a small 2.5 meter dinghy (with a 2 horse power motor), which reportedly capsized in the surf while being swept out of the river mouth after the boat’s engine reportedly failed.

“An NSRI rescue swimmer swam ashore to assist the man’s wife and to search the shoreline. Our sea rescue craft searched the surf line and beyond and police also assisted in a shoreline search in fading light.”

The boat was found washed ashore on the beachfront, about 300 meters along the coast from the river mouth. There was no sign of Dr Evans.

It appears he was attempting to cross the river on his small boat when the motor would not start, causing it to be swept out of the river mouth before capsizing in the 1-meter surf.

“Despite an extensive search no sign of the man has been found and he is feared to have drowned,”  Wilson said.

A Police Dive Unit arrived on the scene this morning, 10 February, and continued searching. The  boat was found washed up on the river bank upstream approximately 1km up the river, on the tidal river and has been recovered. The river is influenced by strong tide changes and it appears that the boat was swept off the beach front at high tide during the night and was swept 1 km up the river with the tide.

“The family are being assisted by NSRI volunteers and police at the scene. The family do not wish to be interviewed,” Wilson said.

Police have opened an inquest docket and the search continues. 

(edited)

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