Witnesses reported that the man and his friends were celebrating his birthday at the dam when he attempted to swim to a jet-ski that had been blown away by strong winds
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Emergency services have suspended a search operation for a 54-year-old man presumed drowned while attempting to retrieve a jet-ski during his birthday celebration at Hazelmere Dam on Friday.
The Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) helicopter initiated the search for the Umhlanga man.
RUSA’s Prem Balram said metro police and SAPS also joined the search and rescue operation.
“Witnesses reported that the man and his friends were celebrating his birthday at the dam when he attempted to swim to a jet-ski that had been blown away by strong winds.
"He went underwater and did not resurface,” said Balram.
He said heavy winds, rain, and poor visibility had forced them to abort the aerial search operation.
Balram said weather permitting, the search would resume on Saturday morning.