Camps Bay search

Tuesday, 07 September, 2010. Search for tourist teenager missing while swimming. Mark Thompson, Sea Rescue Bakoven station commander, said: “At 16h49 Sea Rescue Bakoven volunteers were activated following reports of a drowning in progress at Camps Bay Beach. “Sea Rescue Bakoven volunteers launched our rescue craft Spirit of Rotary – Table Bay and the Metro Ambulance and Rescue Services, the SA Police Services and a Discovery MediCopter helicopter responded to the scene. “On arrival on-scene it was determined that a male French National, aged in his early twenties, had been swimming with a male South Korean National, aged 19, when, it appears, that they may have been caught in a strong rip-current and they were both swept out to sea.“The French male was found on the beach when the rescue services arrived on-scene and he has been transported to hospital by ambulance in a stable condition for observation for secondary drowning.“It is believed that the French male had managed to exit the water without any assistance.“The South Korean teenager remains missing and he is presumed to have drowned. An extensive sea, shore and air search revealed no sign of the missing teenager. “A Police Dive Unit, supported by a Police Port of Entry craft will continue with the search tomorrow and Sea Rescue Bakoven will launch our rescue craft to assist in the ongoing search for the missing teenager.“Local Police, assisted by volunteers from Sea Rescue Bakoven, will conduct shore patrols from first light. “The Korean Embassy are being supported by the South African Department of International Affairs and Cooperation to inform the family of the missing teenager. “According to officials representing the missing teenager, the missing teenager arrived in South Africa, from South Korea, a week ago on a language tour with the LAL Language School and was due to remain in the country for 48 weeks. A group of (up to) 20 LAL students, including South Korean, Swiss, French and German students had been on the beach when this incident took place.“Trauma counsellors are assisting the students and staff of the school.”