A couple who went missing during a day hike between Platbank, Sedgefield, and Buffels Bay on Saturday (August 15), were found safe after they were unable to continue because of the high tide, reports George Herald.

The couple, a man from Pretoria and a woman from the North West, left a local caravan park at 08:30 for a day hike but had not returned by the evening.

The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) was alerted at 19:23 and a large search operation was launched from both sides of the trail, involving NSRI crews, community medics, police and emergency services.

Group stranded by tide

The couple was found at about 21:11 with three local fishermen who the rising tide had also caught

The group had reached an area with no cellphone signal and could not safely continue along the trail.

They had considered alternative routes but, as darkness fell, decided to stay together in a safe spot and light a fire to keep warm while waiting for the tide to go down.

Rescuers guided all five people safely to the Platbank car park.

The fishermen returned home while the couple was taken back to their accommodation.

The search was completed at 21:50.

No injuries were reported.

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