An 8 year-old local Port Alfred child drowned while swimming with a friend in the Kariega River, Kenton-on-Sea, yesterday afternoon.
During an extensive search an SAP scuba diver found the child’s body underwater. The child suddenly disappeared under water while he and his friend, believed to be also 8 years-old, were swimming back and forth across the river during an incoming tide. It is believed the incoming tide currents may have dragged the child under water.
NSRI Port Alfred station commander, Juan Pretorius, said at 3.15 pm, 25 September, NSRI Port Alfred duty crew were activated after reports by the EC Government Health EMS of a child missing at Kenton-on-Sea.
“NSRI Port Alfred dispatched our sea rescue vehicle towing our sea rescue craft Rescue 11 Alpha and an NSRI volunteers private vehicle responded and the EC Government Health EMS, SA Police Services, a Police Dive Unit, Traffic Services and Hi-Tech Security responded.”
About 1 mile upstream from the mouth of the Kariege River (in the vicinity of Mullins Camp), a search commenced and a member of the public also searched from his private boat.
“The body of the child was handed over to Forensic Pathology Services and police opened an inquest docket,” Pretorius added.
Edited by St Francis Chronicle
