Tragic drowning near to Bay Hall

Jacques Kruger, NSRI Richards Bay duty coxswain, said:At 13h35, Sunday, 25th November, NSRI Richards duty crew responded to the Blind Canal area next to Bay Hall following reports of a drowning in progress.A bystander jet-skier had been able to rescue 2 of 3 children from the water then raced to our NSRI base and alerted our NSRI duty crew who were at the base at the time on routine training. He reported 1 child still missing and 2 children (that he rescued) were safe but injured.Our NSRI Richards Bay duty crew responded and Police Search and Rescue, SA Police Services, KZN EMRS (KZN Government Health EMS), Ice Medical Rescue and uMhlatutuze Fire and Rescue Services responded.On arrival on the scene the 2 rescued children, aged approximately 6 and 7, were treated for non-fatal drowning symptoms and they were transported to hospital by ambulance in stable conditions.Police Search and Rescue divers scuba dive searched and located and recovered the body of the missing child, believed to be aged 10, who has sadly been declared deceased. The body of the deceased child has been taken into the care of Police and the Forensic Pathology Services. Police have opened an inquest docket.It appears the 3 children, accompanied to the water by adults, were swimming when they got into difficulty. A bystander on a jet-ski rescued 2 children and then, on learning that a third child remained missing, he raced across to the sea rescue base to raise the alarm while other bystanders assisted the 2 rescued children on the shore and searched for the third child.Condolences are conveyed to family and friends of the deceased child.