A 29 year-old Belgian man died in a flash flood while canyoning (aka kloofing) by the Salt River at the Crags, Natures Valley at Plettenberg Bay today, 26 March 2015.
He was part of a group of men comprising four tourists and two guides. Five of the men managed to escape but the Belgian was swept away and was reported missing.
The NSRI Plettenberg Bay was activated at 12.46 pm following reports from Plettenberg Bay Mountain Rescue of a man being swept down the Salt River. The NSRI volunteer duty crew dispatched a rescue team to the location, about 12 kms upstream from the river mouth. A sea rescue craft, the SAP, ambulance services and the Red Cross AMS Skymed rescue helicopter were dispatched to the river mouth.
During a search the body of the man was located downstream. An NSRI rescue swimmer and a Mountain Rescue member were deployed from the helicopter to the site where the body of the man was recovered.
The man was confirmed deceased. The body was taken into the care of the police. Forensic Pathology Services and the police have opened an inquest docket.
The other men in the tour group were uninjured.
The Belgium Consulate is assisting the deceased man’s family abroad. The NSRI expresses its sincere condolences to the man’s family and friends.
(edited)
St Francis Chronicle 