NSRI Jeffreys Bay volunteer sea rescue duty crew assisted in trying to locate the body of a teenager in the sea off Jeffreys Bay’s Main beach today, 2 December 2012.
A 16 year-old girl was earlier rescued by bystanders but her male companion who was with her when they were both dumped by a huge wave is missing. A Police Dive Unit has been alerted.
Photo (NSRI) of a Jeffreys Bay NSRI volunteer searching for the 16 year-old teenager, who went missing in the surf today at Main Beach. Photo: RRAD Photography
Robin Brown, NSRI Jeffreys Bay deputy station commander, says NSRI duty crew were activated after reports of a drowning in progress at the beach. At 3 pm the rescue duty crew launched the sea rescue craft Loved 1s 24 and the Discovery rescue runner, plus the NSRI Quad Bike. The SAP and law enforcement officers, Paramedics 24/7 ambulance services, Kouga Fire and Rescue Services and Kouga Municipal Lifeguards responded.
“On arrival on-scene a girl from Port Elizabeth was found on the beach.” Brown says, adding that it appears she was rescued from the water by bystanders.”
It is unconfirmed how she was removed from the water. She was treated by paramedics for symptoms of near drowning and was transported to hospital by ambulance in a stable condition for observation for secondary drowning.
“It was determined that a 16 year-old boy, also from Port Elizabeth, disappeared in the surf. A full scale search operation has revealed no sign of the young man and a shore and sea search is continuing.
“According to reports the two teenagers were part of a church group on the beach and were wading in the surf together when a wave ‘dumped’ onto them causing them to get into difficulty in the water. We believe bystanders and other members of the church group managed to rescue the girl from the water. Claims are that the boy disappeared under water before bystanders or church members could reach him. He has not been seen since.
“NSRI will withdraw the sea rescue craft at last light tonight and beach patrols will continue.” Brown says. “If no sign of the missing teenager is found today NSRI will launch sea rescue craft again at first light to continue a sea search.”
In the interim police have opened an inquest docket.
(edited)
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