A distraught angler is haunted by the sight of his desperate father-in-law screaming for help after being swept out to sea in a Sunday afternoon Cove Rock fishing trip that turned into disaster.
The search for Bert Meintjies, 38, of Collondale was ongoing yesterday after a “freak wave” washed him off Table Rock while he was fishing with his son-in-law Lourens du Preez, 28.
Table Rock is also known as the “Boiling Pot”.
Recounting the sequence of events from the home he shared with his father-in-law, his wife Melissa, 19, and their baby son yesterday morning, Du Preez told the Daily Dispatch how he tried to fish his father-in-law out of a swirling swell with his fishing rod.
Speaking with a monotone voice still steeped in shock, Du Preez said he and his father-in-law had been “passionate” about fishing and set off at about 2pm on Sunday with rods, bait, chips and cooldrink for an afternoon of their favourite pastime.
“We walked all the way so only started fishing at about 4pm,” said Du Preez. “He was on my left and he was in a happy mood talking about how proud he is of his daughter, me and my son. I saw the sea pulling back and then a huge wave coming towards us. I looked at him and screamed ‘run’ and we dropped everything and ran.”
Du Preez managed to grip onto the rocks but when he turned around his fishing partner was gone.
“I saw him being taken out to sea. His eyes were big and he was screaming my name so I grabbed one of my rods and tried to cast it to him, but then a second wave came and I had to run again. This wave was even bigger and I got smashed on the rocks.
“Two fishermen who were on the rocks above Table Rock said I should get out of there or I would go too, but I wanted to help him.”
He said his father-in-law was being rammed onto the rocks by the powerful swell and despite being a good swimmer, was unable to pull himself out.
“Then a third wave came and that took everything out of me. I had to use all the strength I had left just to stay on the rock. I saw my father-in-law being pulled underneath the ledge and then out to sea again. I shouted at him to fight – that he had a family to fight for.
“The fishermen helped me out and said there was nothing I could do. I am not a strong swimmer and if I had gone off that ledge I would not have survived.”
Du Preez said after about 45 minutes he saw Meintjies’ body floating face down.
“I threw rocks but he did not respond. I screamed until I couldn’t scream any more. I was in shock and crying. He was just floating. I didn’t want to believe it. By this time one of the fishermen had called for help.
“People should be banned from fishing from that ledge – it is too dangerous.”
NSRI spokesman Craig Lambinon said NSRI East London had received a call for help at 4.55pm on Sunday evening and that sea rescue craft Spirit of Rotary East London II was dispatched to search for Meintjies. EMS, East London fire and rescue services, SAPS and the police K9 unit were also at the scene.
Du Preez said he was treated at Frere Hospital and discharged later on Sunday night. Yesterday morning he was back on the beach combing it for any sign of his father-in-law along with members of the SAPS K9 Unit and the Border police.
Meintjies’ heartbroken daughter Melissa du Preez said she had tried to call her husband and father at 6pm on Sunday evening but received no answer.
“But then at 7pm the police came to my door and said my husband was in hospital but they could not find my dad. I was in such a state.”
The search is expected to resume today.
Fishing outing turns tragic
The search for Bert Meintjies, 38, of Collondale was ongoing yesterday after a “freak wave” washed him off Table Rock while he was fishing with his son-in-law Lourens du Preez, 28.
Table Rock is also known as the “Boiling Pot”.
Recounting the sequence of events from the home he shared with his father-in-law, his wife Melissa, 19, and their baby son yesterday morning, Du Preez told the Daily Dispatch how he tried to fish his father-in-law out of a swirling swell with his fishing rod.
Speaking with a monotone voice still steeped in shock, Du Preez said he and his father-in-law had been “passionate” about fishing and set off at about 2pm on Sunday with rods, bait, chips and cooldrink for an afternoon of their favourite pastime.
“We walked all the way so only started fishing at about 4pm,” said Du Preez. “He was on my left and he was in a happy mood talking about how proud he is of his daughter, me and my son. I saw the sea pulling back and then a huge wave coming towards us. I looked at him and screamed ‘run’ and we dropped everything and ran.”
Du Preez managed to grip onto the rocks but when he turned around his fishing partner was gone.
“I saw him being taken out to sea. His eyes were big and he was screaming my name so I grabbed one of my rods and tried to cast it to him, but then a second wave came and I had to run again. This wave was even bigger and I got smashed on the rocks.
“Two fishermen who were on the rocks above Table Rock said I should get out of there or I would go too, but I wanted to help him.”
He said his father-in-law was being rammed onto the rocks by the powerful swell and despite being a good swimmer, was unable to pull himself out.
“Then a third wave came and that took everything out of me. I had to use all the strength I had left just to stay on the rock. I saw my father-in-law being pulled underneath the ledge and then out to sea again. I shouted at him to fight – that he had a family to fight for.
“The fishermen helped me out and said there was nothing I could do. I am not a strong swimmer and if I had gone off that ledge I would not have survived.”
Du Preez said after about 45 minutes he saw Meintjies’ body floating face down.
“I threw rocks but he did not respond. I screamed until I couldn’t scream any more. I was in shock and crying. He was just floating. I didn’t want to believe it. By this time one of the fishermen had called for help.
“People should be banned from fishing from that ledge – it is too dangerous.”
NSRI spokesman Craig Lambinon said NSRI East London had received a call for help at 4.55pm on Sunday evening and that sea rescue craft Spirit of Rotary East London II was dispatched to search for Meintjies. EMS, East London fire and rescue services, SAPS and the police K9 unit were also at the scene.
Du Preez said he was treated at Frere Hospital and discharged later on Sunday night. Yesterday morning he was back on the beach combing it for any sign of his father-in-law along with members of the SAPS K9 Unit and the Border police.
Meintjies’ heartbroken daughter Melissa du Preez said she had tried to call her husband and father at 6pm on Sunday evening but received no answer.
“But then at 7pm the police came to my door and said my husband was in hospital but they could not find my dad. I was in such a state.”
The search is expected to resume today.
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