Latest news with #LorrieRaath
The Citizen
4 days ago
- The Citizen
Search for missing pilot continues
A BELOVED acrobatic pilot remains missing after a tragic crash at North Beach yesterday afternoon. An intensive search was launched in the afternoon and was suspended last night. Since the early hours of Friday morning, Metro Police, eThekwini Municipal lifeguards and the SAPS have continued to recover wreckage washed ashore overnight. Pending official statement on the identity of the pilot, friends and relatives have shared their sentiments on social media. The aviator was largely described as a gentleman and a legend who dominated the skies with talent and sharp skills. Also read: VIDEO: Pilot missing after aircraft crashes into sea near Suncoast The pilot took part in the Virginia Airshow last week, and shared on social media how the experience was 'an honour to be part of the 'Missing Man Formation' at Virginia Airshow in tribute to the late Captain Lorrie Raath'. The National Sea Rescue Institute confirmed that this was an ongoing search operation. 'The search grid co-ordinates are being evaluated in co-operation with NSRI EOC (Emergency Operations Centre) using advanced search technology, taking into account sea drift patterns. We are appealing for sensitivity in this tragic incident. We embrace the family, friends and colleagues of the missing man in this difficult time,' said Lorenzo Taverna-Tunisan, NSRI Durban duty coxswain. The City of eThekwini cautioned that Battery Beach remains closed until further notice. For more from Berea Mail, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Click to subscribe to our newsletter – here
The Herald
4 days ago
- General
- The Herald
Search for aerobatics pilot to resume off Durban beach on Friday
Family, friends and colleagues have paid tribute to a well-known aerobatics pilot who is missing after his light aircraft crashed into the sea on the Durban beachfront on Thursday. Search efforts for the pilot — whose name is known to TimesLIVE — of the light aircraft which crashed at Durban's Battery beach was called off on Thursday evening due to poor visibility and will resume on Friday. KwaZulu-Natal SAPS spokesperson Col Robert Netshiunda said the seasoned pilot from Johannesburg, who also flew commercial airlines, was the only one in the aeroplane. Friends and family posted tributes to the pilot, who participated in the 'Missing Man Formation' as a tribute to the late Capt Lorrie Raath at the Virginia air show on Sunday. 'Nothing ever prepares you for this. I can't believe it. Rest in peace, my friend. It was always an honour sharing the skies with you. A gentleman and an aviator of note,' said one friend. Another said it was a 'sad day for South African aviation with the passing of a legendary aerobatic pilot. Our condolences to his family and friends.' The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) said the ZS-AEC Extra 300 plunged into the sea performing its final display at about 1.45pm, prompting an extensive multipronged search operation throughout the day. NSRI Durban duty coxswain Lorenzo Taverna-Turisan said an extensive search operation co-ordinated by the Aeronautical Rescue Co-ordination Centre took place at North Beach about half a nautical mile offshore after the aircraft accident. Taverna-Turisan said NSRI rescue craft from Durban and Umhlanga were nearby when the incident occurred. 'Despite the immediate and swift response and the ongoing extensive sea and air search operation, including police divers, metro police divers, a police helicopter and the NSRI rescue craft, there remains no signs of the missing man.' Police search and rescue divers conducted underwater searches for the pilot along with three NSRI rescue craft. Additional support was provided by various paramedics, eThekwini municipal lifeguards, eThekwini fire and rescue services and aviation authorities. The accident happened during a display and air show for the youth and public organised by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) after a three-day aviation global summit — held at the Durban ICC. KwaZulu-Natal Transport MEC Siboniso Duma said the accident was an 'unfortunate end to a successful event'. 'The search and rescue team and other emergency services are doing everything possible to find the missing person.' He confirmed the family had been informed but maintained the matter was a sensitive issue that was also guided by strict protocols associated with the aviation authority but confirmed that proper analysis would be provided at the right time. Themba Thabethe, from the Accidents and Incidents Investigation division at CAA said high tides had scattered some debris from the plane over several kilometres just hours after the accident but confirmed that authorities were working on recovering it. 'There has been some wreckage that has been recovered and we're trying to reconstruct the accident scene. What makes our lives difficult is that because of the tide, some of the debris has already spread about 2km to 3km away.' Police and the CAA will investigate the accident. TimesLIVE
TimesLIVE
4 days ago
- General
- TimesLIVE
Search for aerobatics pilot to resume off Durban beach on Friday
Family, friends and colleagues have paid tribute to a well-known aerobatics pilot who is missing after his light aircraft crashed into the sea on the Durban beachfront on Thursday. Search efforts for the pilot — whose name is known to TimesLIVE — of the light aircraft which crashed at Durban's Battery beach was called off on Thursday evening due to poor visibility and will resume on Friday. KwaZulu-Natal SAPS spokesperson Col Robert Netshiunda said the seasoned pilot from Johannesburg, who also flew commercial airlines, was the only one in the aeroplane. Friends and family posted tributes to the pilot, who participated in the 'Missing Man Formation' as a tribute to the late Capt Lorrie Raath at the Virginia air show on Sunday. 'Nothing ever prepares you for this. I can't believe it. Rest in peace, my friend. It was always an honour sharing the skies with you. A gentleman and an aviator of note,' said one friend. Another said it was a 'sad day for South African aviation with the passing of a legendary aerobatic pilot. Our condolences to his family and friends.' The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) said the ZS-AEC Extra 300 plunged into the sea performing its final display at about 1.45pm, prompting an extensive multipronged search operation throughout the day. NSRI Durban duty coxswain Lorenzo Taverna-Turisan said an extensive search operation co-ordinated by the Aeronautical Rescue Co-ordination Centre took place at North Beach about half a nautical mile offshore after the aircraft accident. Taverna-Turisan said NSRI rescue craft from Durban and Umhlanga were nearby when the incident occurred. 'Despite the immediate and swift response and the ongoing extensive sea and air search operation, including police divers, metro police divers, a police helicopter and the NSRI rescue craft, there remains no signs of the missing man.' Police search and rescue divers conducted underwater searches for the pilot along with three NSRI rescue craft. Additional support was provided by various paramedics, eThekwini municipal lifeguards, eThekwini fire and rescue services and aviation authorities. The accident happened during a display and air show for the youth and public organised by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) after a three-day aviation global summit — held at the Durban ICC. KwaZulu-Natal Transport MEC Siboniso Duma said the accident was an 'unfortunate end to a successful event'. 'The search and rescue team and other emergency services are doing everything possible to find the missing person.' He confirmed the family had been informed but maintained the matter was a sensitive issue that was also guided by strict protocols associated with the aviation authority but confirmed that proper analysis would be provided at the right time. Themba Thabethe, from the Accidents and Incidents Investigation division at CAA said high tides had scattered some debris from the plane over several kilometres just hours after the accident but confirmed that authorities were working on recovering it. 'There has been some wreckage that has been recovered and we're trying to reconstruct the accident scene. What makes our lives difficult is that because of the tide, some of the debris has already spread about 2km to 3km away.' Police and the CAA will investigate the accident.
