RIP | Body of missing Scottburgh man found after swimming trip

The body of a 53-year-old Scottburgh man who had been reported missing has been found along the KwaZulu-Natal coastline following a search operation involving the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) and police.

The man was reported missing to NSRI Station 39 Rocky Bay on Thursday, 20 August, after he failed to return home the previous day.

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His family told authorities that he was believed to have gone swimming at Scottburgh Main Beach on Wednesday.

Police had already launched a search for the missing man before NSRI Rocky Bay volunteers joined the operation.

Body found in shallow surf

On Friday morning, NSRI Rocky Bay rescue crew worked alongside the South African Police Service (SAPS) and Police Search and Rescue teams to search the coastline.

The NSRI team searched along the shoreline between Scottburgh and Green Point Lighthouse in Clansthal.

During the operation, a local angler alerted rescuers after spotting a body in the shallow surf.

NSRI crew responded to the location, where Police Search and Rescue recovered the body, believed to be that of the missing man.

The deceased man’s body was handed over to police and Government Health Forensic Pathology Services.

Police have opened an inquest docket as investigations into the circumstances surrounding his death continue.

The NSRI has conveyed its condolences to the man’s family and friends.