NSRI Hermanus responds to child in water emergency

At 12h57, Thursday, 20 June, NSRI Hermanus duty crew were activated following eyewitness reports of a drowning in progress at Skulphoek, Hermanus.

The NSRI Hermanus duty phone and the Overstrand emergency control received calls raising the alarm of a child in difficulties in the water at Skulphoek, Hermanus.

NSRI Hermanus dispatched an NSRI rescue vehicle and NSRI rescue swimmers directly to the scene.

WC Government Health EMS and the SA Police Services responded.

The NSRI Hermanus rescue craft Leonard Smith and the NSRI rescue craft JetRib were launched.

On arrival on the scene a search commenced for the 9 year old local male child who had last been seen in the surf in amongst rocks, in the water, along the rocky shoreline.

It is not clear yet, but it is suspected that while playing with friends, with an inflatable lilo and a beach ball in shallow surf during an incoming tide, the child may have been caught in waves washing over rocks and then caught in rip currents.

Despite an extensive sea and shoreline search there remains no signs of the child.

Police WPDS (Water Policing and Diving Services) are alerted, and Police are continuing in ongoing search efforts.

Family of the missing child are in the care of Police and all care, thoughts and compassion are with the family and friends of the missing child in this difficult time.