Man missing at Kidds Beach, Port Edward

Police Search and Rescue are continuing in a search for a 20 year old Johannesburg man missing in the surf at Kidds Beach, Port Edward.

Gert du Plessis, NSRI Port Edward station commander, said:

NSRI Port Edward duty crew were activated following eye-witness reports of a drowning in progress.

NSRI rescue swimmers responded directly to the scene and the SA Police Services, Police Search and Rescue, Netcare 911 ambulance services, Kwa- Zulu Natal ambulance services and Port Edward Traffic Services responded while our NSRI jet Rib, Rescue 32 Alpha, was launched.

On arrival on the scene a 19 year old male was safely out of the water suffering non-fatal drowning symptoms and a 20- year old male was missing in the surf. A search commenced.

It appears that while they were swimming together they were caught in rip currents. The teenager attempted to assist his friend who then disappeared under water. The teenager was able to get free of the rip current and he came ashore.

Bystanders entered the water to search for the missing man. We launched our Jet-Rib accompanied a by Police Search and Rescue diver. The teenager was transported to hospital in a stable condition by ambulance and he has recovered.

Despite an extensive sea and shoreline search there remains no sign of the missing man. Police are continuing in a search.

Our thoughts are with the family of the missing man in this difficult time.