At 13h14, Tuesday, 15th July, NSRI Wilderness volunteer sea rescue duty crew were activated following eye-witness reports of 3 young males being swept out to sea at Victoria Bay, near to George, Southern Cape.Our NSRI Wilderness volunteer sea rescue duty crew launched our sea rescue craft CALTEX RESCUER and NSRI rescue swimmers responded directly to the scene to join WC Government Health EMS and George Fire and Rescue Services who were already on the scene and the SA Police Services and the Skymed rescue helicopter responded.On arrival on-scene it was determined that 3 children, aged between 12 and 15, from Thembalethu, George, had been swept out to sea by rip currents while swimming.A 15 year old male was missing in the surf and the remaining two children were found safe on the beach.One child had disappeared under water and it appears that one child had managed to get out of the surf unassisted and local surfer Wade Tiran, 15, had successfully rescued the third child.The three children had reportedly hiked to the beach to swim.Both survivors were transported to hospital in stable conditions by ambulance for observation for secondary drowning.Despite an extensive air, sea and shore search no sign of the missing 15 year old male has been found and a Police Dive Unit has been alerted and Police will continue an ongoing search operation.Police have opened an investigation.15 year old, Grade 9 learner from York High School in George, Wade Tiran, who was surfing with his friend Dylan Hemphill nearby, had noticed the three children in difficulty (being swept out to sea by rip currents) and Wade had gone to their aid noticing that the one child had made it out of the water safely Wade then paddled up to one of the children and used the floatation of his surfboard to assist the child out of the water to the beach.Wade and Dylan had then searched for the missing child until the emergency services took over a search.NSRI have commended Wade on his actions today.NSRI urge parents to ensure that their children have responsible adult supervision around coastal and inland waters.
