17 August, Edited: Sadly there are no new developments in the ongoing search for missing SAA and aerobatic pilot, Andrew Blackwood-Murray, aged 61, from Johannesburg, along Durban’s North Coast, the NSRI, Station 50, announced this morning.
The search and recovery operation, led by police divers, is ongoing with advanced search technology being used in the search.
Family, friends and colleagues of the missing man are being cared for, supported, and are regularly briefed, in this difficult time.
The tremendous outpouring of support and compassion from the aviation community, the public and all involved, is commended.
Weather and sea conditions have not hampered the continual search efforts by Police divers (Police Search and Rescue), who are leading the search, and who are supported by Aviation and Aeronautical authorities, NSRI Durban and NSRI Umhlanga, the SA Police Services, the Police Air Wing, Police Communications, ARCC (Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre), AIID (Accident and Incident Investigation Division), SACAA (Civil Aviation Authority), MRCC (Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre), TNPA (Transnet National Ports Authority) Port of Durban Port Control, Telkom Maritime Radio Services, the SA Navy, eThekwini Municipal authorities, eThekwini Metro Police and Metro Police Search and Rescue, eThekwini lifeguards, and assisted by EC Government Health EMS, Government Health Forensic Pathology Services, Netcare 911 ambulance services and Red Line Response ambulance services.
The NSRI appeals to member sof the public the maritime community to report any findings of debris that may be related to the light aircraft accident, along the Durban shoreline and at sea, so that any findings can be recovered to support the AIID and the Police investigation into the catastrophic incident. Any findings can be reported to: Police at 10111, to NSRI EOC (Emergency Operations Centre) at 0870949774, or on marine VHF radio to Durban Radio (Telkom Maritime Radio Services) or Durban Port Control.
St Francis Chronicle 