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08 Dec 2017

Eight French nationals involved in ski-boat flip at Umkomaas

Juan Venter (South Coast Herald) Picture: The scene at this morning's boat capsize incident in Umkomaas.

The boat capsized while launching for a scuba diving trip to Aliwal Shoal.

ORIGINAL STORY: 9.20am

A ski-boat carrying twelve people on a diving expedition capsized at the Umkomaas river mouth shortly after launching at around 7.45am today (Thursday).

The South African Paramedic Services, ER24 and Netcare 911 treated the injured at the Agulhas House after the diving charter had returned the divers to their accommodation.

According to South African Paramedic Services spokesman, Shannon Kain, out of the twelve people, three asked to be taken to hospital.

It is believed that none of the injuries were serious.

 

UPDATE, 11.10am:

According to Agulhas House spokesperson, Keryn van der Walt, of the 10 people involved in this morning’s incident, eight  were French nationals.

“At 7.13am this morning our vessel, Agulhas 3, capsized while launching from Umkomaas for a scuba diving trip to Aliwal Shoal. We had eight French nationals on-board plus our dive master and skipper,” Ms van der Walt said.

“Our dive master and skipper did a fantastic job of getting everyone swimming towards the beach where bystanders from local dive centers assisted them from the water. Blue Ocean Dive Resort assisted the rest of the divers and assistants by holding their boat in the surf and picking up divers and assistants from the water.”

“We are very grateful for all the amazing support, everyone pulled together to assist with making sure that everyone was safely out of the water.”