Tributes pour in for local hero John Flanigan after tragic sea-kayaking incident

Well known and highly respected in the community, local resident John Flanigan, 80, has died following an incident at sea offshore South of On-the-Rocks, Bloubergstrand, on his sea-kayak.

Just weeks ago, Flanigan made headlines after he wrapped up his 4-hour-30 -minute swim from Robben Island to Big By and received an overwhelming support.

On Saturday, the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) announced Flanigan's passing.

Tributes went viral on social media.

Rowan Marais, NSRI Melkbosstrand station commander, explained that Flanigan's sea-kayak had capsized.

"At 07h45, Saturday, January 31, NSRI Melkbosstrand duty crew were activated following eyewitness reports of a sea-kayak unmanned - appearing to be capsized - in the vicinity offshore South of On-the-Rocks, Bloubergstrand," he said.

"West Coast community coast watchers were alerted and assisted to get visuals.

"NSRI rescue swimmers responded to the scene while our NSRI duty crew responded to our NSRI Melkbosstrand station 18 rescue base and dispatched our NSRI rescue vehicle towing our NSRI rescue craft JetRIB which was launched at Small Bay, Bloubergstrand.

"Arriving in the vicinity we found a group of swimmers offshore South of On-the-Rocks with the sea-kayak. The swimmers indicated to NSRI crew that offshore of Blouberg there was a man, who had been on the sea-kayak, he was being assisted by a lady Good Samaritan on a SUP (stand-up paddle board), and by additional swimmers, Good Samaritans, and that the casualty man was unresponsive.

"Our NSRI jet RIB responded in that direction while NSRI shore crew responded to South of On-the-Rocks. NSRI EOC (Emergency Operations Centre) alerted emergency services. Community Medics, ER24 ambulance services, WC Government Health EMS, Net"

Marais explained that the NSRI craft reached the SUP and the swimmers where NSRI took the casualty onboard the NSRI rescue craft initiating CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) efforts.

"The rescue craft came ashore at Small Bay, Bloubergstrand, where NSRI medics continued with CPR and were joined on the scene by paramedics," he added.

"Despite extensive CPR efforts, after all efforts to resuscitate the man were exhausted, sadly he was declared deceased by paramedics. The SA Police Services attended at the scene where the body of the man was taken into the care of Police and Government Health Forensic Pathology Services."

Marais said the cause of the incident was under investigation: "It appears that local well known and highly respected 80-year-old John Flanigan was paddling on his sea-kayak, offshore of Blouberg Beach, and the causes of the incident are under investigation."

Marais added that circumstances still being determined, and that Flanigan was assisted by a SUP paddle boarder and by a group of swimmers that he had reportedly paddled out to greet on Saturday morning, during their regular morning swim and during his regular morning paddle on his sea-kayak.

NSRI has commended the SUP paddle boarder and swimmers for their swift actions assisting John before NSRI arrived.

"The extensive efforts by NSRI medics and paramedics is commended," said the NSRI

The NSRI added that Flanigan had recently successfully completed a Robben Island swim.

"John will be dearly missed by family, friends, the local community, NSRI and lifeguards. Police have opened an Inquest docket. Condolences are conveyed to family and friends of the deceased man," said the NSRI.

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