At 16h04 (Monday, 30th September) NSRI Melkbosstrand crew were activated following reports of a child missing, believed to have drowned at Melkbosstrand Main Beach.
It appears that the child, a 7 year old boy from Atlantis, who was reportedly at the beach with friends and adults, may have been involved in a drowning accident as early as 14h00. According to reports the child was swimming with two friends, in calm seas, when he was swept out to sea by rip currents and disappeared under water.
Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services arrived on the scene at approximately 15h45 and on determining that the child was missing in the surf they activated NSRI.
Our NSRI Melkbosstrand volunteer sea rescue duty crew launched two sea rescue craft and our NSRI rescue vehicle, the SA Police Services, a Police Dive Unit, WC Government Health EMS, ER24 ambulance services and the City of Cape Town Disaster Management responded.
An extensive sea and shore search revealed no sign of the child and sixteen (16) NSRI Melkbosstrand rescue swimmers were deployed into the surf to conduct a sweeping line search free dive searching as they moved across the beach. During this leg of the search operation the body of the child was located and recovered.
Paramedics declared the child deceased on the scene.
Family members, arriving at the NSRI rescue base following the incident, are being counseled by CoCT Disaster Management Trauma Counselors.
The body of the deceased child has been handed into the care of the Forensic Pathology Services.
Police have opened an inquest docket.
NSRI continue to urge the public to learn about and to be cautious of rip currents.
Craig Lambinon will be out of cell range on Tuesday 1st October. NSRI CEO Dr. Cleeve Robertson is available for media inquiries and media interviews.
Station Commander Rhine Barnes speaks to the media at the scene of the tragedy
