NATIONAL – Wednesday, 04th JANUARY, 2012.
Silverstroomstrand:At 13h20 on Wednesday, 04th January Melkbosstrand volunteer duty crew were called out following reports from Police on duty at the Silverstroomstrand beach of a drowning in progress.Melkbosstrand dispatched sea rescue craft and a rescue vehicle, and Metro EMS, a Metro EMS rescue squad, the Metro EMS Skymed helicopter, a Police helicopter accompanied by a Police diver, and a Police Dive Unit responded to join local lifeguards who had initiated a search for the missing man.While rescue resources were responding to the scene Police confirmed that a man had disappeared under water approximately 50 meters off-shore after being swept out to sea.It appears, that lifeguards at the beach had closed the beach for swimming due to rough seas and they had warned the man not to enter the water due to the rough seas and strong rip-currents. Despite the warnings the man had waded into the water before being swept out to sea and was last seen being swept against rocks before disappearing under water.Lifeguards reached the place where he disappeared only minutes later but despite their best efforts he could not be found in the water.An extensive air, sea and shore search, hampered by very rough and confused sea conditions, has revealed no sign of the man and a Police Dive Unit are continuing with an ongoing search.The 19 year old man, from Darling, is missing and is presumed to have drowned.His mother and father, who were on the beach with him at the time, have been transported to hospital for trauma counseling and treatment for shock.Police have opened an inquest docket.
Jeffreys Bay:At 11h28 NSRI Jeffreys Bay duty crew responded to Super Tubes, Jeffreys Bay, following reports of a surfer suspected to be in difficulty.A sea rescue jet-ski was launched and a sea rescue quad bike dispatched and 24/7 paramedics also responded.On arrival on-scene the surfer, Clinton Smithers, 35, from Salt Rock, Kwa-Zulu Natal, was found on the beach suffering a dislocated shoulder believed to have been sustained while surfing Super Tubes.He was treated on-scene by paramedics and transported to hospital in a stable condition.
Plettenberg Bay:At 15h38 NSRI Plettenberg Bay volunteer sea rescue duty crew were called out for 4 people being swept out to sea at Natures Valley, near to the Groot River Mouth.Plettenberg Bay volunteers launched their sea rescue craft AIRLINK RESCUER and their DISCOVERY rescue runner. Police and Metro EMS also responded.On arrival on-scene it was confirmed by lifeguards that three men, in their early twenties, from Strand, had managed to get out of the water after getting into difficulty in strong rip-currents. The fourth man, their friend, a 22 year old from Strand, had disappeared under water.An extensive search is ongoing and the Metro EMS Skymed helicopter has joined in the search but no sign of the missing man has been found and the Police Dive Unit have been informed.Police have opened an inquest docket.While rescuers were on the scene a further three people were helped out of the water in the same area in separate incidents after getting into difficulties and lifeguards are cautioning bathers not to swim at the beach at Natures Valley.The Metro EMS Skymed helicopter had earlier assisted at Noetzie Beach, near Knysna, where a British man and his two children had been rescued by lifeguards, after reportedly being swept out to sea, before being transported to hospital. NSRI believe they were in stable conditions. NSRI have no further details on that incident.
