A 73-year-old kayaker, Goran Radic, was located and rescued on Wednesday morning after being reported missing overnight off the South Australian coast. He was found approximately 40 kilometers north of Adelaide and assessed by paramedics as being in good health following the incident.
Goran Radic, 73, was discovered roughly 40 kilometers north of Adelaide after an overnight ordeal. Paramedics assessed him as being in good health, sustaining no injuries.
Disappearance and Initial Report
Goran Radic departed from Middle Beach, approximately 40 kilometers north of Adelaide, on Tuesday afternoon. His intention was a crabbing and kayaking trip. Relatives reported him missing to South Australia police just before 11 PM on Tuesday when he failed to return as expected.
Radic later stated he became disoriented in the open waters of St Vincent Gulf during his trip. He was wearing a life jacket, a crucial safety measure, but his phone had been left in his car. Fortunately, Radic had packed supplies with him, which proved vital during his time adrift.
Search Operations Underway
Upon receiving the missing person report, emergency services initiated an extensive overnight water and aerial search. The operation involved a diverse range of units, including SA Police's Water Operations Unit, Polair with infrared capabilities, Volunteer Marine Rescue crews, and the SA Sea Rescue Squadron hovercraft.
The search was temporarily paused at 3:30 AM and resumed at first light on Wednesday. Conditions during the night were reported as calm and not cold, which authorities believe may have significantly contributed to the kayaker's survival. Public assistance in guiding search efforts was also acknowledged by authorities.
Discovery and Rescue
Radic was located on Wednesday morning at approximately 8:30 AM. He was found either on a sandbank or in mangroves, positioned approximately 2 kilometers south of Middle Beach, seated in his kayak.
A helicopter landed on the sandbank and subsequently winched Radic to safety.
Upon landing, he was assessed by SA Ambulance Service Special Operations paramedics. He was determined to be in good health, sustaining no injuries, a remarkable outcome after his overnight disappearance.
An Account of the Night
During the night, Radic reported utilizing the packed supplies he had brought with him. He observed rescue helicopters overhead and, at one point, attempted to paddle towards St Kilda, a coastal hamlet, for guidance by its lights. He subsequently became lost again and returned to his original location on the sandbank or in the mangroves.
Following his rescue, Radic promptly contacted his wife and expressed profound gratitude to his rescuers and first responders for their efforts.
Outcome and Future Plans
Later on Wednesday, rescuers and police successfully recovered Radic's kayak, bringing it to shore around midday.
Despite the harrowing experience, Radic indicated that the incident has not deterred him from future kayaking, stating his clear intention to continue the activity with increased caution.