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Leader missing after sea rescue | Leader missing after sea rescue |
(about 18 hours later) | |
A British schools expedition leader is missing presumed drowned off the South African coast after trying to help teenagers in difficulty. | A British schools expedition leader is missing presumed drowned off the South African coast after trying to help teenagers in difficulty. |
Sean Foxcroft, 24, from Manchester, was dragged out to sea after wading into the water on the beach at St Lucia, north of Durban, on Sunday. | Sean Foxcroft, 24, from Manchester, was dragged out to sea after wading into the water on the beach at St Lucia, north of Durban, on Sunday. |
The teenagers had been cooling off in the surf after a game of rugby but were dragged out by strong undercurrents. | The teenagers had been cooling off in the surf after a game of rugby but were dragged out by strong undercurrents. |
A major sea, air and land search failed to uncover any sign of him. | A major sea, air and land search failed to uncover any sign of him. |
Mr Foxcroft was leading a group of 15 students aged between 16 and 18 on a four-week trip with the company World Challenge. | Mr Foxcroft was leading a group of 15 students aged between 16 and 18 on a four-week trip with the company World Challenge. |
'Very capable' | |
He was supervising the teenagers as they played rugby with another World Challenge group on the beach on Sunday. | He was supervising the teenagers as they played rugby with another World Challenge group on the beach on Sunday. |
Mr Foxcroft was one of two expedition leaders who went into the water to help them, but was overwhelmed by the waves and carried out to sea. | Mr Foxcroft was one of two expedition leaders who went into the water to help them, but was overwhelmed by the waves and carried out to sea. |
A spokesman for South Africa's National Sea Rescue Institute said: "Shore patrols conducted during the night have revealed no signs of the missing man, who is presumed to have drowned." | A spokesman for South Africa's National Sea Rescue Institute said: "Shore patrols conducted during the night have revealed no signs of the missing man, who is presumed to have drowned." |
In a statement, World Challenge said the rescue mission was still ongoing. No-one else was hurt in the incident. | In a statement, World Challenge said the rescue mission was still ongoing. No-one else was hurt in the incident. |
Nigel Miller, World Challenge's managing director, said: "Our thoughts are with Sean's family and his friends and we will continue to provide them with whatever support they need. | Nigel Miller, World Challenge's managing director, said: "Our thoughts are with Sean's family and his friends and we will continue to provide them with whatever support they need. |
"We are currently working with the authorities in South Africa, assisting with the search for Sean and ensuring the welfare of the students involved in this incident." | "We are currently working with the authorities in South Africa, assisting with the search for Sean and ensuring the welfare of the students involved in this incident." |
Students counselled | |
The students had spent more than three weeks trekking in South Africa and were on the "rest and relaxation" wind-down phase of their trip. | The students had spent more than three weeks trekking in South Africa and were on the "rest and relaxation" wind-down phase of their trip. |
South African rescue services searched the area until dark yesterday and continue to search today Foreign Office spokeswoman | |
They are now receiving counselling after the ordeal, World Challenge said, ahead of their return to the UK on Wednesday. | They are now receiving counselling after the ordeal, World Challenge said, ahead of their return to the UK on Wednesday. |
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) said it had contacted Mr Foxcroft's family about the tragedy. | The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) said it had contacted Mr Foxcroft's family about the tragedy. |
A spokeswoman said: "South African rescue services searched the area until dark yesterday and continue to search today. | A spokeswoman said: "South African rescue services searched the area until dark yesterday and continue to search today. |
"We are in contact with the family and the National Sea Rescue Institute, who are keeping us informed of any developments." | "We are in contact with the family and the National Sea Rescue Institute, who are keeping us informed of any developments." |
Dan Mazur said he worked with Mr Foxcroft for the company Himalayan Expeditions and took a group of 32 people up Mount Ama Dablam, near Mount Everest, with him in October last year. | Dan Mazur said he worked with Mr Foxcroft for the company Himalayan Expeditions and took a group of 32 people up Mount Ama Dablam, near Mount Everest, with him in October last year. |
Mr Mazur said Mr Foxcroft was "very capable, very responsible and thoughtful". | Mr Mazur said Mr Foxcroft was "very capable, very responsible and thoughtful". |
"He was a very caring, very strong person. You would not have known he was 24. | "He was a very caring, very strong person. You would not have known he was 24. |
"I have really spent some time with him. It's a tragedy." | "I have really spent some time with him. It's a tragedy." |