Rubber duck: Missing body found
2006-01-04 11:08
Port Elizabeth - The body of a man who went missing when a rubber duck ran aground near Cape Recife in Port Elizabeth has been found, said Eastern Cape police on Wednesday.
Captain André Beetge said the man, whom police suspect might have been a perlemoen poacher, was found drowned on Tuesday night.
The National Sea Rescue Institute said six people were rescued after their boat broke down near Cape Recife on Tuesday night.
The eight-metre rubber duck had been carrying seven passengers.
While three of the people aboard managed to swim to shore safely, the other three were rescued by another rubber duck in the area.
NSRI Port Elizabeth commander Ian Gray said three people were treated for mild hypothermia and were taken to hospital.
Three of the people onboard managed to swim to shore safely and another three were rescued by another rubber duck in the area.
Gray said: "There was a full-scale search and illumination flares were used by the rescue party.
The police air wing Squirrel BK-117 helicopter was dispatched with a night-sun searchlight to help.
"After an extensive sea, air and shore search, nothing was found and the operation was suspended," said Gray.
- SAPA