Fisherman drowns after boat capsizes

2011-06-05 16:43

Port Elizabeth - The body of a fisherman washed ashore after a boat capsized near Port Alfred in the early hours of Sunday morning, Eastern Cape police said.

Captain Mali Govender said the chokka boat was struck by lightning at 02:00, causing its power supply to go out.

"The skipper was the only person awake. He steered the boat towards safety but a wave engulfed the boat and it overturned near the Riet River mouth close to the shore," Govender said.

"He managed to swim towards the lights and get to shore, where he walked about 10km to call for help," she said.

A rescue team retrieved a body on the shore at 07:00. An hour later, they reached the boat and broke open the bow to save the fishermen inside.

"They found nine people aboard that were safe and they were brought back to shore where they received medical care," Govender said.

- Were you there? Send us your stories and photos

- SAPA