Sunset Beach –Teenager missing after 2 bystander rescue efforts in close succession

NSRI Melkbosstrand were alerted to reports of a drowning in progress at Sunset Beach, Milnerton

Terence Lawson, NSRI Melkbosstrand duty coxswain, said:

Investigations revealed that a possible non-fatal drowning accident occurred but all were safe.

A short time later additional reports suggested another incident occurring at Sunset Beach with bystanders reporting at least 4 teenagers being swept away by rip currents.

NSRI Melkbosstrand, NSRI Table Bay, Milnerton Surf lifesaving, WC Government Health EMS rescue squad and ambulance, Life Healthcare response paramedics, City of Cape Town (CoCT) Law Enforcement officers, Community Medics, Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services and the SA Police Services responded.

On arrival on the scene it was determined that 4 males, aged in their late teens, were in difficulty in the surf. 1 was rescued by 2 bystanders, a husband and wife, from Mauritius, using an NSRI pink rescue buoy. then an additional bystander had launched into the water with a body board to go to the aid of 2 of the teenagers, while the Mauritian man also returned into the water, with the pink rescue buoy, and 2 of teenagers were rescued to the shore.

1 teenager, age 18, from Mandalay, Cape Town, was missing in the surf.

The 3 casualties, who were now safe on the shore, were assessed by paramedics and they were not injured and required no medical care.

A Milnerton Lifesaving lifeguard IRHB (Inflatable Rigid Hull Boat) rescue craft and 3 NSRI IRHB rescue craft, NSRI Table Bay's Spirit of Day and NSRI Melbosstrand's Rescue 18 Alpha and Film Industry Fund Rescuer 2, searched in the surfline, shoreline search efforts were conducted, the EMS/AMS Skymed rescue helicopter conducted an aerial search and EMS rescue paramedics used a search and rescue drone to assist in the aerial search.

Despite an extensive search there remains no sign of the missing teenager.

Police divers attended at the scene and are continuing in an ongoing search.

Thoughts are with the family of the missing teenager in this difficult time.

It was determined that only minutes before the 4 boys got into difficulty 2 unidentified male bystander Good Samaritans had used the NSRI pink rescue buoy to rescue a female who had been caught in the same rip current. She was rescued to the shore and before her cousin could warn the 4 male teenagers of the strong rip current they were swept away.

The bystanders are commended for their efforts.