Teen missing after swimming in Cape Vidal beach

The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) announced that a teenager went missing after he was caught in a rip current at Cape Vidal beach on Saturday (3 October) afternoon.

TEEN MISSING IN CAPE VIDAL

Melinda Snyman, NSRI St Lucia station commander, said that a teenager went missing after he was caught in a rip at Cape Vidal beach on Saturday 3 October. Cape Vidal Beach is situated in northern KwaZulu-Natal, north of St Lucia. The teen (16) had been swimming with another boy (14) when the incident occurred.

According to the NSRI Station, the 14-year-old was rescued by a bystander, who was on holiday from Benoni, who witnessed the incident.

“At 15h07, Saturday, 3 October, NSRI St Lucia duty crew were activated following reports of a drowning in progress at Cape Vidal Beach. Eyewitness reports indicated that 2 teenagers were in distress in the surf zone appearing to be caught in rip currents. NSRI rescue swimmers responded directly to the scene and our NSRI rescue vehicle, towing our JetRIB rescue craft, Rescue 40 Bravo, responded,” read the statement.

THE 14-YEAR-OLD MALE RESCUED SAFELY

On arrival on the scene the NSRI found that the 14 year old male had been rescued safely to the beach by “a female Good Samaritan, from Benoni, who had launched into the water to go to the aid of the 2 teenagers caught in rip currents.”

The NSRI rescue craft was launched from the beach and conducted extensive search efforts in and beyond the surf zone for a 16 year old male who had gone missing in the surf zone. Despite extensive sea and shoreline search efforts there remains no signs of the missing teenager.

“NSRI medics attended to the 14 year old on the beach. He was treated on the scene for non-fatal drowning symptoms and handed into the care of SISILA EMS paramedics and transported to hospital by SISILA EMS ambulance in a stable condition. He is expected to make a full recovery.”

“The rescued teenager and the missing teenager, locals, from Mtubatuba, friends visiting the beach with family, had been swimming together when it appears they were caught in rip currents.”

Police have opened an investigation. Police Search and Rescue – WPDS (Water Policing and Diving Service), assisted by iSimangaliso Wetland Park rangers, are continuing in ongoing search efforts for the missing teenager.

This follows the news of a Grade 12 Affies learner passing away just a day after his 18th birthday.