A 28-year-old man drowned at Berry Dam on Sunday afternoon, 1 November, after allegedly failing to resurface following a deep dive while swimming with friends.
According to Komani SAPS spokesperson Captain Yolisa Mgolodela, the incident occurred at approximately 13:00.
Mgolodela said the man, who was from Khayelitsha Mlungisi, was spending time at the dam with friends when he reportedly showed them his swimming skills.
However, after diving into deep water, he failed to return to the surface and drowned.
Emergency teams respond
Police, divers from East London and Nxuba, as well as Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel, attended the scene.
Mgolodela confirmed the details in response to an enquiry from Komani News on Monday, 2 November.
Warning to the public
Following the incident, members of the public are urged to refrain from swimming at Berry Dam.
Swimming in dams can be dangerous, particularly in deep water where underwater conditions and varying depths can pose serious risks.
The public is urged not to put their lives at risk by swimming in the dam, even if they consider themselves strong or experienced swimmers.
The tragic incident is a reminder of how quickly a recreational outing can turn into an emergency.
