Matric learner’s body found after drowning: ‘We are beyond grateful’

The family of Jonathan Bradfield, a matric learner from Hoër Landbouskool Marlow in Cradock, has expressed their gratitude and relief after his body was discovered after drowning at Mtunzini main beach in KwaZulu-Natal.

The 19-year-old was swept out to sea during a strong rip current last Thursday.

MATRIC LEARNER’S BODY DISCOVERED AFTER DROWNING

On Tuesday, IPSS Medical Rescue confirmed that the boy had been discovered roughly 2 kilometres from where he disappeared into the surf zone at Mtunzini main beach.

Last Thursday, Hoër Landbouskool Marlow matric learner Jonathan Bradfield was swept out to sea during a swim alongside his girlfriend.

The 19-year-old is believed to have been caught in a rip current.

The tragedy occurred during a school holiday trip to KZN with his girlfriend and her family.

An extensive rescue operation, covering air, sea and shoreline search, had initially revealed no signs of the missing teen.

The teen’s aunt, Sharon Bradfield, confirmed that the body had been positively identified.

She shared in an emotional Facebook post: “How miraculous and wonderful our ABBA Father is….Thank you all for reaching out. Your prayers and love. ALL who were involved in searching for our Jona…We are beyond grateful”

Jonathan has been praised by his school, friends and those who crossed paths with him as God-fearing, well-mannered and hard-working.

TWO MORE TEENS STILL MISSING

Meanwhile, the search continues for two other teen boys, who are both presumed drowned.

A 16-year-old from Mtubatuba went missing whilst swimming at Cape Vidal Beach on Saturday. 

The teen and a 14-year-old pal, who was later rescued, were caught in rip currents.

On Wednesday morning, search operations officially entered their fourth day, surpassing the 85-hour milestone since Saturday afternoon.

Another teen, an 18-year-old from Mfuleni, is also presumed to have drowned after he disappeared in the surf at Glen Beach in Camps Bay over the weekend. The tragedy struck during mass Matric learner celebrations around beaches in the Atlantic Seaboard.

Meanwhile, an inquest is underway after an eight-year-old boy drowned at the Camps Bay Tidal Pool on Monday.