Zinkwazi – Teenager missing in the surf:

Brendon Power, NSRI Ballito duty coxswain said:At approximately 14h30, Sunday, 23rd December, NSRI Ballito duty crew, IPSS Medical Rescue , KDM (Kwadakuza) Municipal Pro Lifesaving lifeguards and Police Search and Rescue were activated following reports of a drowning in progress at a beach in Zinkwazi, a beach not protected by duty lifeguards.On arrival on the scene the NSRI Yamaha Wave Runner jetski and Dream X Rescue 2 jetski and a KDM lifeguard jetski were launched to search for a missing 14 year old male who was reported to have gone missing in the surf while swimming with a friend.It was reported that the 14 year old male along with his friend were swimming when the 14 year old got into difficulty and was swept away by currents.The friend was able to get out of the surf and he raised the alarm.Despite an extensive sea and shoreline search, including NSRI rescue swimmers and KDM lifeguards conducting coordinated sweeping line free dive search efforts in the surf and Zinkwazi Ski Boat Club members assisting the emergency services with shore patrols, no sign of the missing teenager has been found and Police have opened an investigation.Police Search and Rescue will continue in an ongoing search operation.Zinkwazi Ski Boat Club members, using a tractor, assisted to recover rescue craft following the extensive search operation.On Monday morning NSRI Ballito and KDM lifeguards will join Police Search and Rescue on the scene to continue in an ongoing search operation.Thoughts are with the family of the missing teenager in this difficult time.