Donate Shop Find a Base Call for Help Now

NSRI EMERGENCY
OPERATION CENTRE (EOC)

087 094 9774

At 15h25, Friday, 26 September, NSRI St Helena Bay duty crew were activated following reports from WC Government Health EMS West Coast Metro Control of a drowning in progress on the Berg River, near to the Berg River Mouth, at Rooibaai, Laaiplek, Veldrift, on the West Coast.

NSRI rescue swimmers responded while the NSRI duty crew responded to the NSRI St Helena Bay station 44 rescue base where the NSRI rescue craft Spirit of Santam II was launched. 

The SA Police Services, WC Government Health EMS rescue squad and EMS ambulance and West Coast Medical Rescue responded.

On arrival on the scene it was found that a local 13 year old male was missing under water.

Police WPDS (Water Policing and Diving Services) were activated by Police Control.

2 local male divers, Good Samaritans, had entered the water to dive search while surface water and shoreline search efforts were conducted.

The teenager was located under water, under a jetty, and he was recovered to the shore by the Good Samaritan divers.

Paramedics medically assessed the teenager who was sadly declared deceased.

Police have opened an Inquest docket.

The body of the teenager has been taken into the care of Police and Government Health Forensic Pathology Services.

Next Article

Teenager Missing at Bakoven, Police Divers Continue Search

Read More

You may also like

RESCUE OPERATIONS  | Published: 20 OCTOBER 2026

Belgian tourist recovering after non-fatal drowning near Buffalo Bay

A 48-year-old man from Belgium is expected to be discharged from hospital today after a non-fatal drowning incident at a remote beach between Brenton-on-Sea and Buffalo Bay on Monday afternoon. The man, on a cycling holiday with his family, is ...

RESCUE OPERATIONS  | Published: 20 OCTOBER 2026

Mining vessel crew assisted after RHIB loses motor power

On Saturday morning, NSRI Port Nolloth volunteers on a routine training exercise responded when a local mining vessel raised concern for three of her crew who had gone ashore on their RHIB (rigid hull inflatable boat) and not been heard ...

RESCUE OPERATIONS  | Published: 19 OCTOBER 2026

Injured hiker rescued from Robberg Nature Reserve by NSRI Plettenberg Bay

NSRI Plettenberg Bay duty crew were activated following a request for medical assistance from a group of hikers reporting a female in their group suffering an injury and unable to continue on the walk. ...