Search for missing Delft surfer resolved

By Rhodé Marshall
28 August 2007

Surfer Raasig Ruiters from Delft, who went missing on Saturday morning at the Big Bay, Bloubergstrand area, was discovered at the Somerset Hospital late yesterday afternoon.

“Raasig went surfing on Saturday morning and did not return home, his brother only laid a missing persons report on Saturday night to police and one again on Sunday night,” says NSRI spokesperson, Craig Lambinon.

A search was launched for the 19-year-old by the National Sea Rescue Institute and the South African Police Service after his older brother Sean, reported suspicions of his brother being missing after he failed to return home to the house in Bloubergstrand, which the two brothers were renovating.

“The details were extremely sketchy which caused us to believe that he may be missing at sea. We were told that he was last seen surfing at the Big Bay, Bloubergstrand area, and after we had launched the search yesterday it was determined that the individual is indeed in Somerset Hospital,” says Lambinon.

He says Ruiters was transported to the hospital by private ambulance on Saturday morning after he got into difficulty.

“He was rescued by lifeguards and transported to hospital. The hospital has confirmed he was admitted and was not critical but his whereabouts now are still to be determined,” says Lambibon.

Lambinon added that it is still to be determined why the authorities or the family were not notified of the events that took place on Saturday morning concerning Raasig.