Quentin Power, NSRI Ballito station commander, said:On Monday 20 April, at approximately 12h50, NSRI Ballito duty crew were activated to reports of a drowning in progress on the Umvoti river just East of the Melville Mill area.An NSRI Ballito rescue team, SA Police Services, Police Search and Rescue, Police K9 Search and Rescue, KwaDakuza Municipal (KDM) lifeguards and IPSS medical rescue responded.On arrival on the scene a search commenced for a 48 year old male believed to be from Mozambique, who had reportedly jumped into the fast flowing Mvoti River to attempt to assist a lady who had been swept into the river off a low level bridge.Eye-witness accounts suggest that the man may have gotten into difficulty before disappearing underwater.The lady was able to make it to the river bank and she was not injured.During a search Police K9 Search and Rescue officers with K9 officer Dante and K9 officer Ghost were able to indicate an area on the river to be searched.A scuba dive operation was conducted by Police divers and the body of the man was located at a depth of 2 meters.The body was recovered by Police and taken into the care of members of the KwaDakuza Police and Government Health Forensic Pathology Services.An Inquest docket has been opened by Police.Condolences are conveyed to family of the deceased man.
