Search suspended for missing swimmer at Umdloti Tidal Pool

An aerial search for a man who drowned in Umdloti this afternoon (June 15) was called off at sunset.

Distraught family members huddled together on the beach, wrapped in winter jackets against the chilly evening breeze, while paramedics searched the shoreline and a Reaction Unit South Africa helicopter circled overhead looking for the missing bather.

One relative told the Courier the 24-year-old Waterloo resident was familiar with the Umdloti Tidal Pool and swam there regularly.

“The best thing would be to find the body for closure,” the relative said.

According to lifeguards on duty, the man got into difficulty on the incoming tide at about 1.30pm while swimming at the far northern end of the tidal pool.

Four lifeguards, assisted by five members of the public, responded to the emergency.

They reached the swimmer while he was still inside the tidal pool and had hold of his hand when a large set wave separated them. A further series of waves followed and he disappeared beneath the water.

He has not been seen since.

Lifeguards, visibly shaken by the incident, believe the victim may be trapped beneath rocks within the tidal pool. It is understood police divers were unable to conduct a search due to rough sea conditions.

The search is expected to resume tomorrow morning.