Swim ends in sorrow

GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - According to the CEO of Study House in George and spokesperson for the Williams family, Clive Welgemoed, everyone is in shock and devastated by the tragic accident; and together with Casey's family, their small school community is trying to come to terms with his untimely death.

Welgemoed described Casey as a kind and "well-liked gentle soul", saying he was popular among his peers, a top student, athletic and a healthy young man who loved to dance.

In an interview with George Herald, Welgemoed said a group of 10 of their learners were on a skills-building excursion at Stompdrift Dam, De Rust, for the weekend.

"We were investigating the effects of strong winds on the structural integrity of the buildings in the area as part of our weekend programme. Before midday some of the learners went down to the dam as it was warm and they wanted to have fun in the water.

Three monitors and two adults were on the edges of the dam while some of the learners were in the water. Everything happened so fast and everyone was in a state when I reached the dam.

A strong wind blew Casey and his friend off the lilo they were on, and he tried to swim to the edge but disappeared under the murky water. Another three learners also landed in the water and were swimming out.

One of the adults who swam out to Casey was so close to him before he went under, and tried to grab hold of him. After several attempts, he could not find him," an emotional Welgemoed said.

Within minutes all the learners were brought out of the water and a search, by at least five people including a diver who was in the area, ensued, but to no avail.

Police divers found his body close to the dam's edge on Tuesday.

Police divers and other members of the community at the edge of the Stompdrift Dam during the search for Casey Williams' body.