A fishing trip turned to tragedy on Saturday for Fynbos dad Berned Foeties and his son Dillan, 11, when Dillan drowned in the Nahoon River.
East London police spokesman Lieutenant Nkosikho Mzuku said police were alerted at around 2pm.
“On arrival at about 2.15pm, found the body of the deceased,” Mzuku said.
According to Warrant Officer Steve Leslie of the East London K9 Search and Rescue unit, the father and son had been fishing in the river under the NEX bridge.
He said unit members and divers responded to the drowning.
“The divers started an extensive underwater search, which lasted for about 35 minutes,” Leslie said.
Dillan’s body was found about five metres from where he is believed to have fallen in.
Leslie recovered the body after he saw a rope floating in the water and pulled on it. The rope was attached to a fishing throw net, which was wrapped around Dillan’s arm.
An eyewitness who lives nearby said he had seen the father and son in the water around 1pm.
When the eyewitness drove past the area later, he was stopped by an unknown man who asked him for help because his child had disappeared under the water.
An inquest docket has been opened at Cambridge police station.
The evocative picture of Foeties sitting on the bank of the river featured on this page drew comments from Daily Dispatch readers who expressed their sorrow at the tragic drowning.
Sharyn Carr posted: “Very tragic. All children need to be taught to do basic swimming. If only it could happen in schools. Dams, rivers and lagoons all over this lovely province. Be at peace young man. Family…be brave.”
Wayne En Jess Staude posted: “Oh how devastating for this family. My deepest heartfelt condolences. May God give you strength and courage for the days that lie ahead.”
And Cindy Naiker wrote: “There’s nothing worse than a parent losing a child. Heartfelt sympathies to the dad and family. May God give you strength, comfort, courage, faith and hope.”
Nahoon claims life of boy, 11
East London police spokesman Lieutenant Nkosikho Mzuku said police were alerted at around 2pm.
“On arrival at about 2.15pm, found the body of the deceased,” Mzuku said.
According to Warrant Officer Steve Leslie of the East London K9 Search and Rescue unit, the father and son had been fishing in the river under the NEX bridge.
He said unit members and divers responded to the drowning.
“The divers started an extensive underwater search, which lasted for about 35 minutes,” Leslie said.
Dillan’s body was found about five metres from where he is believed to have fallen in.
Leslie recovered the body after he saw a rope floating in the water and pulled on it. The rope was attached to a fishing throw net, which was wrapped around Dillan’s arm.
An eyewitness who lives nearby said he had seen the father and son in the water around 1pm.
When the eyewitness drove past the area later, he was stopped by an unknown man who asked him for help because his child had disappeared under the water.
An inquest docket has been opened at Cambridge police station.
The evocative picture of Foeties sitting on the bank of the river featured on this page drew comments from Daily Dispatch readers who expressed their sorrow at the tragic drowning.
Sharyn Carr posted: “Very tragic. All children need to be taught to do basic swimming. If only it could happen in schools. Dams, rivers and lagoons all over this lovely province. Be at peace young man. Family…be brave.”
Wayne En Jess Staude posted: “Oh how devastating for this family. My deepest heartfelt condolences. May God give you strength and courage for the days that lie ahead.”
And Cindy Naiker wrote: “There’s nothing worse than a parent losing a child. Heartfelt sympathies to the dad and family. May God give you strength, comfort, courage, faith and hope.”
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