The search for the body of a missing 20-year-old man from
Belhar has entered its third day following a drowning incident at Lagoon beach
in Milnerton on Monday 24 September.
It’s believed that Keanan Petersen was with a 22-year-old
man, also from Belhar, at the time of the incident.
According to a statement by the National Sea Rescue
Institute (NSRI), the NSRI Table Bay and NSRI Melkbosstrand duty crews were
activated by the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) following reports of
a drowning in progress at Milnerton Lagoon Beach at 15:52 (Monday).
NSRI spokesperson, Craig Lambinon, said local surfer Chris
Poseman noticed two young men in the water off-shore of the Lagoon Mouth
appearing to be in difficulty in the surfline.
“Chris launched into the surf swimming towards the man
closest to the shoreline, who was appearing to indicate to be in difficulty, in
an attempt to try to rescue the man (Petersen), but before he could reach him,
the man disappeared beneath the surf.
“The second male, a 22-year-old from Belhar, who was further
out to sea at the time, was able to get to shore after being assisted by two
surfers who went to his aid. He was not injured.”
Lambinon said NSRI commend Poseman and the unidentified
surfers who went to the aid of the men in difficulty in the surf.
Lambinon has urged the public to be cautious around the
coastline this week, until Friday 28 September, as the Full Moon Spring Tide
(which peaked yesterday), has begun to increase in intensity as it builds
towards the Spring Tide peak.
“Bathers, anglers, coastal hikers and beach strollers are
urged to be cautious and to heed the safety alert and to be aware of the Spring
Tide phenomenon.
Bathers should only go to beaches where and when lifeguards
are on duty and swim within the safe demarcated swimming zones that lifeguards
post using their red and yellow flags,” Lambinon said.
He has also urged parents to ensure that their children have
responsible adult supervision around inland and coastal waters.
Lambinon added that the Spring Tide occurs at the full moon
and again at the new moon and brings with it a higher than normal high tide, a
lower than normal low tide and stronger than normal rip currents.
