KNYSNA NEWS - The body of a man was retrieved from the water at the train bridge that crosses the Knysna estuary. He apparently disappeared beneath the water after wading with a friend.

The man, identified by police as Innocent Ntlanga, 30, was fishing on the banks of the estuary below the train bridge. 

According to Grant van Staden, National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Knysna deputy station commander, local NSRI crew were activated at about 12:00 on Wednesday 20 April after a call from an eye-witness reporting a drowning in progress.

Van Staden said the NSRI Knysna duty crew responded to the sea rescue base where the rescue craft Jaytee IV and Katharine were launched. 

"NSRI rescue swimmers, WC Government Health EMS, Knysna Fire and Rescue Services, SA National Parks rangers and the SA Police Services responded directly to the scene," he said.

"The missing man's friend reported that they had waded into the water when his friend disappeared under water. The search included a surface water search from the sea rescue craft and NSRI rescue swimmers conducting extended line free dive search efforts."

The police's dive unit was also activated.

"Police divers conducted a scuba dive search and during their search the body of the man was located and recovered from under water," Van Staden said. "Condolences are conveyed to family and friends of the deceased man."

Ntlanga's body was taken into the care of the Western Cape Government Health Forensic Pathology Services.

According to Southern Cape police spokesperson Sgt Chris Spies, Ntlanga's next of kin is yet to be traced.

Anyone with information which could assist police to trace the family of the deceased is requested to contact the Knysna Detectives on 044 302 6652.

Knysna's train bridge. Photos: Blake Linder

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