The marvel of modern aviation technology was put to the test when the South African Police Service’s newly acquired Airbus H125 helicopter, based at the Airwing in Gqeberha, played a key role in a search and recovery operation on Monday, 13 October 2025.
During its maiden operational flight, the H125 assisted in locating two bodies floating in the Swartkops River — one identified as 17-year-old Curtis Samson, and a second, unidentified African male. Police divers later retrieved both bodies.
The H125 had arrived in Gqeberha on Friday, 10 October 2025, marking a significant boost to the SAPS Airwing’s operational capabilities. While the crew was familiarising themselves with the helicopter on Monday morning, they were called to provide aerial support in an ongoing recovery effort that had begun the previous Friday.
According to reports, on 10 October at around 10:00, a group of friends were swimming in the Swartkops River when Samson got into difficulty and disappeared beneath the water. The SAPS Search and Rescue team from the K9 Unit immediately launched a search, assisted by other stakeholders, continuing efforts throughout the weekend.
Shortly after deployment, the new helicopter’s crew spotted two separate bodies in the river — bringing a tragic but swift conclusion to the search.
Police have opened two separate inquest dockets for further investigation.
The Airbus H125, renowned for its agility, endurance, and advanced surveillance capabilities, has already proven its worth as a critical asset to SAPS operations in the Eastern Cape.
