Marc May, NSRI St Francis Bay station commander, said; “At 12h01 on Tuesday 10 January, NSRI St Francis Bay volunteer sea rescue duty crew were activated following reports of a drowning in progress opposite the St Francis Bay Lighthouse.
“Our NSRI volunteer sea rescue duty crew launched our sea rescue craft Spirit of St Francis II and our NSRI duty doctor, the SA Police Force, 24/7 paramedic services and our sea rescue vehicle responded.
“On arrival on-scene NSRI rescue crew aboard our sea rescue craft located and recovered the body of a 50 year old Tygervalley, Cape Town man found floating in the water approximately 100 meters off-shore.
“It was confirmed that the man’s death is suspected to be from drowning but the exact cause of death will be determined by an autopsy.
“The body of the man has been handed into the care of the Forensic Pathology Services.
“Police are assisting with trauma counseling for the family of the deceased man and they have opened an inquest docket. It is believed that the family are on holiday in St Francis Bay.
“The man had been snorkelling (free diving with snokel, goggles and fins) in the water at the time. A mother and her son who witnessed the incident attempted to rescue the man but failed to reach him before returning to the beach.
“It is not known what caused the man to get into difficulties in the water.”
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