Kowie River tragedy: 22-year-old diver loses life despite NSRI rescue efforts

A 22-year-old man from East London has died in a free diving outing on the Kowie River, despite extensive rescue and medical efforts to save his life.

The incident occurred on Wednesday morning, approximately three kilometres upstream from the Kowie River Mouth. The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Port Alfred, SA Police Services, and Gardmed ambulance services were activated at 08h44 following reports of a missing diver.

According to NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon, two NSRI rescue craft, Rescue 11 Alpha and Lotto Challenger, were launched, accompanied by a NSRI medic.

On arrival, rescuers found three men in a boat, where two had reportedly been free diving. One of the divers had failed to resurface, prompting his friend to begin underwater search efforts.

"NSRI Rescue swimmers were deployed into the water, where during free dive search efforts the missing man was located and recovered onto an NSRI rescue craft and CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) efforts commenced and continued until the rescue craft reached the NSRI Port Alfred station 11 rescue base," said Craig Lambinon

Lambinon continued to say that Gardmed paramedics, assisted by NSRI crew, managed to restore a pulse during resuscitation efforts.

However, the man went into cardiac arrest again while being transported to the hospital. Despite further CPR efforts by doctors and nurses upon arrival, he was sadly declared deceased.

“After all efforts to resuscitate the man, in hospital he was then sadly declared deceased by the doctors" 

Police have opened an inquest docket to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.

"It remains unknown what caused the man, from East London, to fail to surface while free diving, condolences are conveyed to family and friends of the deceased man," added Lambinon

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