Mark Harlen, NSRI Shelly Beach station Commander, said; On 4 June at 10h20 NSRI Shelly Beach volunteers were activated to assist the SA Police Services and Tower 13 lifeguards in a search for a male lifeguard reported missing in the surf at Margate Beach.
“We launched our sea rescue craft Caltex Endeavor and our Discovery Rescue Runner (Rescue Jet-Ski) and on arrival on-scene we joined a Police Search and Rescue team and a team of Tower 13 lifeguards in a search for a lifeguard, aged in his early twenties, reported to have gone missing in the surf while swimming.
“Sea conditions were calm.
“A Police helicopter joined in the search and during the search a body was spotted in the surf by the Police helicopter crew and the body (of a male) was then recovered onto our sea rescue craft and brought to our sea rescue base in Shelly Beach where the body was handed into the care of Police and the Forensic Pathology Services.
“It has been confirmed that the body recovered from the surf is that of the lifeguard.
“The Emergency Services have expressed condolences to the family of the lifeguard.
“While no foul play is suspected Police have opened a formal inquest docket into what is believed to have been a drowning accident.
“The name of the deceased lifeguard has not been formally released.”
