Canoeist missing in Knysna surf

– Edited by Bev Mortimer- A man is missing in the Knysna surf in the Western Cape Province today after his canoe capsized.

And a heroic bystander who attempted to rescue the casualty in the surf at the capsized canoe, was himself rescued by NSRI volunteer duty crew.

Jerome Simonis, NSRI Knysna station commander, said the bystander, a local man and shoreline angler, was admitted to hopital in a serious but stable condition. He recounted that t3.20 pm this afternoon during the peak of the Spring high tide, NSRI Knysna duty crew were activated following eye-witness reports of a small canoe capsized at Ashmead Channel on Knysna Lagoon, between Cathy’s Park and Costa Sarda, about 200 to 300 meters off-shore. Reportedly only one man was on board.

NSRI Knysna rescue swimmers, SA National Parks (SAN Parks) rangers, the SA Police Services (SAPS), ER24 ambulance services, Knysna Fire and Rescue Services, WC Government Health EMS and the SAPS Water Policing and Dive Services responded and the Knysna rescue craft, Katherine, was launched.

NSRI rescue swimmers and Police divers, assisted by the emergency services, searched for the missing, unidentified canoeist, and the search is still continuing, the NSRI said. NSRI rescue swam out and rescued the Good Samaritan. He was brought to shore where assisted by SAN Parks rangers, then taken to to EMS paramedics where medical treatment commenced before he was admitted to hospital.

The canoe remains submerged and Police divers have searched the wreck of the canoe under water but there is no sign of the missing man.

Canoeist missing in Knysna surf, a heroic bystander who attempted to rescue the casualty in the surf, Jerome Simonis, NSRI Knysna station commander,Knysna Lagoon, between Cathy’s Park and Costa Sarda,NSRI Knysna rescue swimmers, SA National Parks (SAN Parks) rangers, the SA Police Services (SAPS), ER24 ambulance services, Knysna Fire and Rescue Services, WC Government Health EMS and the SAPS Water Policing and Dive Services responded and the Knysna rescue craft, Knysna volunteer duty crew