Other Sport
Swimmer found near start line
2011-02-17 09:42
Midar Dam in KZN Midlands (File)
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Durban - Police Search and Rescue teams have recovered the body of the swimmer who went missing during the aQuelle Midmar Mile over the weekend.
Nico Mellet, 45, is thought to have drowned during the event on Saturday.
Officials realised he was missing when his coded tag did not register at the finish line on Saturday.
More than 16 000 swimmers participated in the event, which is the largest open water swim in the world.
According to the
EastCoastRadio website, Jack Haskins, who is with the Police Search and Rescue Unit, said they found Mellet's body on Wednesday afternoon near the starting line following a massive search operation at the dam in the KwaZulu-Natal midlands.
“At approximately 14:00 the deceased surfaced. He was approximately 500 metres from the start of the Midmar Mile,” Haskins said.
"We've had eight navy divers, as well as 10 South African Police divers from Pietermaritzburg and Port Shepstone, as well as two Search and Rescue dog handlers that were all involved," he said.
Haskins says the discovery will give the family some closure.
"The family has been by our sides from day one. They've sat with us from day one, right up until the last minute," he said.
A post mortem will be conducted.