Rugby Team Swept Out To Sea, 1 Dead, 5 Missing

Some tragic news comes from South Africa where a rugby team, the Motherwell Rugby Football Club, was swept out to sea while swimming on the shores of Cape Town after practice.

15 players were rescued, but one could not be resuscitated. Five others are missing; although the search continues, they are preparing for the worst.

According to Mncedisi Mazomba, a player-manager for the team, they regularly practiced on the beach.

More from the AP report:

Oregan Hoskins, president of the South African Rugby Union, said: “To have their afternoon turn into a day of tragedy is shocking for the whole rugby community and our thoughts go out to their family,” Hoskins said.

Capt. Andre Beegte, a police spokesman, said helicopters were being used as the search continued Monday.

Searchers patrolled the coastline on horses and all-terrain vehicles, and police divers also were called in, Beegte said.

Our thoughts also go out to the families. Very tragic news indeed.

From their Facebook page:

Friends, Motherwell RFC is humbled by the amount of support we have received from the greater rugby community so far. We wish to thank everyone for their support and words of encouragement. We also wish to particularly thank the Nelson mandela metro Municipality, EPRU and SAPS for their support so far. However, the search for the remaining 5 bodies is still on, there has been no luck yet.