NSRI – Langebaan – Friday, 3 January. A Cape Town teenager missing:

Craig McGyver, NSRI Mykonos deputy station commander, said: At 14h06, Thursday, 2 January, NSRI Mykonos duty crew were activated following reports from SA National Parks (SANParks) rangers of a drowning in progress at Tsaarsbank Picnic Site, West Coast National Park, near to Vondeling Island.

A 16 year old male teenager, from Elsies River, Cape Town, on a holiday with family and friends, appeared to be caught in rip currents while swimming, he was in distress in the surf zone.

The male partner of the teenager's sister, age 22, had attempted to assist the teenager before the teenager disappeared in the surf zone. He then found himself in distress in the surf zone, caught in rip currents.

The NSRI Mykonos rescue craft, Rotarian Burnett, and the NSRI Mykonos JetRib, Hansie, were launched and joined SANPark rangers on the scene in a search operation.

The SA Police Services, WC Government Health EMS and West Coast Medical responded.

The EMS/AMS Skymed rescue helicopter was activated by EMS Metro Control.

During a search the 22 year old man was located in the surf zone - about 200 meters offshore - he was rescued onto an NSRI rescue craft.

The casualty man was brought to Salamander Punt, onboard the NSRI rescue craft, where he was attended to by paramedics and SANParks rangers before being released, requiring no further medical treatment.

An extensive air, sea and shoreline search has revealed no signs of the missing teenager.

Police WPDS (Water Policing and Diving Services) are continuing in an ongoing search, assisted by SANParks rangers.

Thoughts, care and compassion are with the families of the missing teenager in this difficult time.

NSRI commend the assistance provided by SANParks to the distraught family.