FEBRUARY FUEL PRICES DROPS PAGE 2
CALM TEAMWORK AVERTS TRAGEDY IN SEA RESCUE PAGE 3
DEAD FISH FOUND AT MILNERTON LAGOON PAGE 6
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NM10044994-AL040226
Woensdag, 4 Februarie 2026 | Tel: 021 910 6500 | e-pos: nuus@tygerburger.co.za | Website: www.tygerburger.co.za
JOHN FLANIGAN’S LEGACY LIVES ON AFTER TRAGIC SEA KAYAKING ACCIDENT
Local ocean icon dies KAILIN DANIELS
T
KAILIN.DANIELS@NOVUSMEDIA.CO.ZA
he Bloubergstrand community is mourning the loss of John Flanigan (80), a highly respected ocean sportsman, following a sea kayaking incident offshore south of On-the-Rocks on Saturday morning. Despite a swift and coordinated rescue response by the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) and emergency services, Flanigan was tragically declared deceased after extensive resuscitation efforts. According to Rowan Marais, station commander of NSRI Melkbosstrand, the rescue operation was initiated at 07:45 on Saturday 31 January, after eyewitnesses reported an unmanned sea kayak appearing to be capsized offshore. “NSRI Melkbosstrand duty crew were activated following eyewitness reports of an unmanned sea kayak appearing to be capsized in the vicinity offshore south of On-the-Rocks, Bloubergstrand,” Marais said. West Coast community coast watchers assisted with visual confirmation while NSRI rescue swimmers responded to the scene. The NSRI rescue craft JetRIB was launched from Small Bay, Bloubergstrand.
John Flanigan, a beloved figure in the Bloubergstrand coastal community, passed away following a sea kayaking incident. Known for his lifelong passion for ocean sports and daily sea kayaking routines, he inspired many. His recent historic achievement as the oldest man to complete the Robben Island to Blouberg swim earned him widespread admiration. PHOTO: MARZAHN BOTHA
GOOD SAMARITANS FIRST ON THE SCENE Upon arrival, rescue crews found a group of swimmers offshore with the sea kayak. They directed NSRI personnel to Flanigan’s location, where he was being assisted by a Good Samaritan on a standup paddle board, supported by additional swimmers. Flanigan was brought aboard the NSRI rescue craft, where cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was immediately initiated. The craft returned to Small Bay, where NSRI medics continued CPR
COMMUNITY MOURNS LOSS OF MARATHON SWIMMING LEGEND
alongside paramedics. “Despite extensive CPR efforts, and after all attempts to resuscitate the man were exhausted, he was sadly declared deceased by paramedics,” Marais said. The police attended the scene and an inquest docket has been opened. A FAMILIAR FACE IN THE MORNING OCEAN ROUTINE It appears Flanigan was paddling offshore during his regular morning routine when the incident occurred. He had reportedly paddled out to greet a group of regular morning swimmers, a gesture well-known among the local ocean community. The NSRI commended the swift actions of the swimmers and the stand-up paddle boarder, whose calm and decisive response helped keep Flanigan supported until rescue crews arrived. Flanigan was widely admired not only for his ocean skills but also for his resilience. He recently made history by becoming the oldest man to complete the 7.5 km Robben Island to Blouberg swim, earning national recognition within South Africa’s open-water swimming community. A decade ago, he was diagnosed with Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis (PAP), a rare and life-threatening lung condition. He spent nearly two years on continuous oxygen and was initially given only months to live. TO PAGE 2