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Bodies Found in Swartkops River After Airborne Search

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The South African Police Service's (SAPS) newly acquired Airbus H125 helicopter, based at the Air Wing in Gqeberha, played a pivotal role in locating two bodies floating in the Swartkops River in Gqeberha. The aerial support was requested during an ongoing search and recovery operation for a 17-year-old boy, Curtis Samson, who had gone missing on Friday, 10 October, while swimming with friends. The search effort, assisted by the SAPS Search and Rescue team from K9 Unit and other stakeholders, continued over the weekend, culminating in the discovery of the two bodies by the helicopter crew.

Key Takeaways:

  • The search and recovery operation for 17-year-old Curtis Samson began on Friday, 10 October, after he got into trouble while swimming in the Swartkops River.
  • The SAPS Search and Rescue team, along with other stakeholders, assisted in the operation, which continued over the weekend despite scheduled stops during sunset.
  • The newly acquired SAPS helicopter, an Airbus H125, helped locate two bodies floating in separate areas of the river, including that of Curtis Samson.
  • The second body was an African male and remained unidentified pending further investigation.
  • Police divers retrieved the two bodies after the helicopter crew spotted them.

Statistics:

  • The search and recovery operation spanned from Friday, 10 October, to Monday, lasting a total of three days.
  • The SAPS helicopter crew spotted two bodies floating in the Swartkops River, including Curtis Samson.
  • The operation involved the SAPS Search and Rescue team from the K9 Unit and other stakeholders.
  • The search effort resulted in the recovery of two bodies, with Curtis Samson's body being identified, and the second body remaining unidentified pending further investigation.

Sources:

  • "A newly acquired...helicopter...helped to locate two bodies in the Swartkops River in Gqeberha." - Government of South Africa
  • "The allegation is that on Friday, 10 October 2025 [at] around 10am, friends were swimming in the Swartkops River, when Curtis Samson (17), got into trouble and disappeared into the water." - Government of South Africa
  • "The operation continued over the weekend, with scheduled stops during sunset." - Eastern Cape police
  • "The police have opened two separate inquest dockets for further investigation" - Eastern Cape police

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