Local hero John Flanigan, 80, dies in tragic sea-kayaking incident
South Africa’s swimming community has been left grieving the tragic loss of legendary open-water swimmer John Flanigan.
Image: Facebook
Well known and highly respected in the community, local resident John Flanigan, 80, has died following an incident at sea offshore South of On-the-Rocks, Bloubergstrand, on his sea-kayak.
Just weeks ago, Flanigan made headlines after he wrapped up his 4-hour-30 -minute swim from Robben Island to Big By and received an overwhelming support.
On Saturday, the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) announced Flanigan's passing.
Tributes went viral on social media.
Rowan Marais, NSRI Melkbosstrand station commander, explained that Flanigan’s sea-kayak had capsized.
Marais said: “At 7.45am, Saturday, 31 January, NSRI Melkbosstrand duty crew were activated following eyewitness reports of a sea-kayak unmanned - appearing to be capsized - in the vicinity offshore south of On-the-Rocks, Bloubergstrand.
“West Coast community coast watchers were alerted and assisted to get visuals.
“NSRI rescue swimmers responded to the scene while our NSRI duty crew responded to our NSRI Melkbosstrand station 18 rescue base and dispatched our NSRI rescue vehicle towing our NSRI rescue craft JetRIB which was launched at Small Bay, Bloubergstrand.
“Arriving in the vicinity we found a group of swimmers offshore south of On-the-Rocks with the sea-kayak. The swimmers indicated to NSRI crew that offshore of Blouberg there was a man, who had been on the sea-kayak, he was being assisted by a lady Good Samaritan on a SUP (stand-up paddle board), and by additional swimmers, Good Samaritans, and that the casualty man was unresponsive.
Marais explained that the NSRI craft reached the SUP and the swimmers where NSRI took the casualty onboard the NSRI rescue craft initiating CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) efforts, but was unsuccessful.
Marais said the cause of the incident was under investigation: “It appears that local well known and highly respected 80-year-old John Flanigan was paddling on his sea-kayak, offshore of Blouberg Beach, and the causes of the incident are under investigation."
The NSRI added: “John will be dearly missed by family, friends, the local community, NSRI and lifeguards. Police have opened an Inquest docket. Condolences are conveyed to family and friends of the deceased man.”