Teenager drowns during a school outing

At 15h21, Thursday, 18 August NSRI St Lucia duty crew and iSimangaliso Wetland Park rangers responded to Jabula Beach, St Lucia, following reports of a drowning in progress.

On arrival on the scene it was revealed that a 16 year male learner was missing in the surf.

The teenager is believed to have been caught in rip currents before disappearing under water while wading in the water during a local school outing.

Teachers and carer’s had raised the alarm.

NSRI St Lucia launched the sea rescue craft Rescue 40 Alpha.

NSRI crew and park rangers conducted shoreline search efforts, including spotters positioned high up on elevated dunes, while the sea rescue craft conducted a sea search.

Police and Police Search and Rescue were alerted.

Despite an extensive search no sign of the teenager was found.

During ongoing search efforts, on Friday, iSimangaliso Wetland Park rangers located the body of the teenager on rocks on the shoreline North of St Lucia, at First Rocks.

NSRI St Lucia, Government Health Forensic Pathology Services and Police were alerted.

Our NSRI St Lucia duty crew and Government Health Forensic Pathology Services responded to the scene to assist.

NSRI rescue swimmers recovered the body from rocks on the shoreline.

The body of the teenager was taken into the care of Government Health Forensic Pathology Services.

Police have opened an inquest docket.

Condolences are conveyed to family of the deceased teenager.