A 50 year-old man from Cape Town drowned about 100m offshore of the Cape St Francis Lighthouse today.
The man on holiday in St Francis Bay with his family, had been snorkelling (free diving with snorkel, goggles and fins) in the water at the time.
Marc May, NSRI St Francis Bay station commander, said at noon today NSRI St Francis Bay volunteer sea rescue duty crew were activated following reports of a drowning in progress near the lighthouse.
“Our NSRI volunteer sea rescue duty crew launched our sea rescue craft Spirit of St Francis II and our NSRI duty doctor, the SA Police Force, 24/7 paramedic services and our sea rescue vehicle responded. On arrival on-scene NSRI rescue crew aboard our sea rescue craft located and recovered the body of a Tygervalley, Cape Town man floating in the water approximately 100 meters off-shore.
“It was suspected the man died from drowning but the exact cause of death will be determined by an autopsy. The body of the man has been handed into the care of the Forensic Pathology Services.
“Police are assisting with trauma counselling for the family of the deceased man and they have opened an inquest docket. It is believed that the family are on holiday in St Francis Bay.
Its reported a mother and her son who witnessed the incident attempted to rescue the man but failed to reach him before returning to the beach.
“It is not known what caused the man to get into difficulties in the water,” May added.
See latest article:
https://stfrancischronicle.com/2012/01/21/man-missing-in-sea-at-main-beach-today-presumed-drowned/
St Francis Chronicle 
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