NSRI Responds to Tabakbaai Incident Where Teen Sadly Passed Away

Craig McIver, NSRI Mykonos deputy station commander, said: At 15h18, Saturday, 29 November, NSRI Mykonos duty crew were activated following reports of a drowning in progress at Tabakbaai (Danger Bay), Saldanha Bay.

Reports indicated that a teenager had gone missing in the water while swimming in the surf zone.

NSRI rescue swimmers responded directly to the scene and the NSRI rescue craft Rotarian Burnett was launched.

Saldanha Bay Municipality members, the SA Police Services, WC Government Health EMS rescue squad and West Coast Medical Rescue responded.

Police WPDS (Water Policing and Diving Services) were alerted.

Extensive sea and shoreline search efforts commenced, including deploying an NSRI rescue swimmer into the water to determine sea drift and the search efforts were joined by a Police Sea Bordeline Control craft.

During extensive search efforts the teenager was located semi-submerged adrift in the surf zone and recovered onto the Police Sea Bordeline Control craft and brought to shore.

Sadly the local male teenager, age 14, has been declared deceased by paramedics.

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

Condolences are conveyed to family and friends of the deceased teenager.