All is not well in the Durban area. The search for missing pilot Andrew Blackwood-Murray continues. The search has continued for eleven days. Recovery operations with police, diverse and multiple rescue teams continuing off the Durban coastline. The Witness reported that the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) spokesperson Craig Lambinon had stated that advanced sonar technology is being used front and centre in the retrieval effort to map the ocean floor debris field in the search area. A Johannesburg-based survey company, sea shadow, volunteered a Norbit Multi Beam sonar, while local good Samaritan Peter Jacobs assisted using a Garmin Sport and recreational system. This was aboard Jacobs’ private craft.
The South African Navy, Durban Underwater Club and Rescue SA divers have joined police in the recovery mission, which is being led by SAPS Search-and-Rescue. eThekwini Metro Police, municipal authorities and lifeguards remain on alert to collect any wreckage that may wash ashore. Lambinon appealed to the public and maritime community to report any debris linked to the light aircraft accident to the police, the NSRI Emergency Operations Centre, Durban Radio or Port Control. “All wreckage recovered is taken into the care of Metro Police at Virginia Airport for the Accident and Incident Investigation Division and police investigation.” Personal belongings found have been returned to the family, who are being supported by authorities, friends and colleagues.
The tragic disappearance of Pilot Blackwood-Murray occurred when he flew a light aircraft during an air show for the Next Generation of Professionals Global Summit 2025, at venue, Durban ICC. The plane crashed on Thursday two weeks ago. Police, municipal and rescue authorities are searching for Blackwood-Murray’s body or remains in the sea and on the shore so that his family can have foreclosure. The search has been long and frustration. For the family the uncertainty of not being able to have foreclosure is nerve wracking at best. The sudden loss of a loved one can feel like a punch in the gut. However, as the police investigate further the truth about the whereabouts of the plane crash and the body will reveal itself.
Another loss that happens was the death of a boy in a Brazilian Place pool. The search for his body took two hours and police have opened an investigation.
The Witness reports that Garrith Jamieson, the director of ALS Paramedics, says they were informed of a missing child in the area at around 18:00 last night and were placed on standby. “Around 20:35, patrollers and security officials combing the area found the child in a residential pool in Brazilia Place in the Umbilo area,” he says.
Jamieson adds that he was pulled from the water, and paramedics were dispatched to assist. ‘Unfortunately, the child had suffered fatal injuries, and there was nothing paramedics could do for the little boy, who was 6 years old, and he was declared deceased on the scene,” he says. Jamieson adds that SAPS was in attendance and will be investigating further.
The loss of a child is always tragic. But this particular tragedy leads to questions arising. How did a six-year-old end up drowning in a private residential pool? The police will investigate the matter and find out how the boy ended up there. Why was he wondering around in the dead of night? Did he fall into the pool by accident? Or could there have been something more sinister at work? The boy’s death will stir concerns in the community of the Umbilo area. It can serve as a reminder as well as a warning especially when you are in a vulnerable position. Durban is a beautiful city situated on the coast. However, the city has its fair share of tragedies. You just never know when it might happen.
At least the six-year old’s parents in Umbilo will have foreclosure with the discovery of his body, while Blackwood- Murray’s remains have yet to be found.
Article written by:
Yacoob Cassim
Journalist at Radio Al Ansaar
