Saturday, 12th September. Search for missing teenager:
At 10h45 on Saturday the 12th of September, NSRI Bakoven duty crew were activated by the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) following eye-witness reports of a teenager missing in the surf at Camps Bay beach.
Bruce Davidson, NSRI Bakoven station commander, said:'NSRI Bakoven launched the sea rescue craft ROTARIAN SCHIPPER and rescue swimmers responded directly to the scene, NSRI Table Bay dispatched the sea rescue craft ROTARY ENDEAVOUR and their sea rescue vehicle, The EMS/AMS Skymed rescue helicopter, ER24 ambulance services, Community Medics, Life Care paramedic response, WC Government Health EMS, the SA Police Services, Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services rescue divers and their rescue jet-ski and Law Enforcement Marine officers and their rescue jet-ski responded.
'It appears that a group of 23 teenagers and young adults from Mannenberg had arrived at Camps Bay beach together to spend the day at the beach and while some of the teenagers were swimming in the surf one of the group, a 17 year old male, appeared to get into difficulty and disappeared beneath the surf.
'It is suspected that he had been caught in a rip current before getting into difficulty and disappearing under water.
'Despite an extensive air, sea and shore search no sign of the missing teenager has been found and he is presumed to have drowned.
'As part of an ongoing search rescue swimmers conducted sweeping line searches free diving in the surf zone and Police divers conducted scuba dive searches in the area.
“NSRI Hout Bay dispatched the sea rescue craft ALBIE MATTHEWS to assist in the extensive search and a Police Dive Unit rigid inflatable boat joined in the search.
'Police have opened an investigation and are attempting to locate the family of the missing teenager and a Police Dive Unit will continue an ongoing search operation.
'Police trauma counsellors attended to the group of children.'
CAMPS BAY, Friday, 11th September:
In another incident yesterday, at around 17h30, Friday, 11th September, eye-witnesses reported to authorities a group of over 100 school children arriving at Camps Bay beach and it appeared that most of the children had run into the water to swim and to play in shallow surf but eye-witnesses confirmed that the children had run into the water in an area where a rip-current was present at the time.
The eye-witnesses feared for the children’s safety and raised the alarm.
Law Enforcement Marine officers and Community Medics were dispatched to the scene to warn teachers overseeing the group of the dangers and on arrival on the scene it was deemed safest to request the children to not play in the surf zone fearing for their safety as rip currents along the Camps Bay beach front were strong and their were numerous rip currents forming at different places constantly along the beach front surf zone.
There were no lifeguards on active duty at the time which is normal at this time of the year.
Teachers overseeing the children, believed to be from a Robertson school, were grateful for the concern and the children retreated from the water to the safety of the beach.
NSRI have pledged to send WaterWise educators to the school.
NSRI are continuing to warn of strong rip currents, brought about by the current New Moon Spring Tide, that will be present around the coastline between now and late into the coming week, peaking on Sunday 13th, and caution is advised to bathers and anglers around the coast.
-ENDS-
TO REPORT A SEA RESCUE EMERGENCY DIAL 112 FROM A CELLPHONE
SMS 32287 with your name and a message of support for our Sea Rescue crew.
Sea Rescue boats Rotarian Schipper and Rotary Endeavour as well as the AMS helicopter search for the missing teenager at Camps Bay.
Sea Rescue boats Rotarian Schipper and Rotary Endeavour as well as the AMS helicopter search for the missing teenager at Camps Bay.
Swimmers and divers enter the water to search for the missing learner.
Swimmers and divers search for the missing teenager.
