Teenager Missing at Hawston Beach: Extensive Search Efforts Underway

Police WPDS (Water Policing and Diving Services) are continuing in ongoing search efforts for a male teenager who went missing at Hawston Beach while swimming.

Edrich Kotze, NSRI Hermanus station commander, said:

At 12h19, Sunday, 9 November, NSRI Hermanus duty crew were activated following eyewitness reports of a drowning in progress at Hawston Beach, between Hermanus and Kleinmond.

NSRI rescue swimmers, from NSRI Hermanus and from NSRI Kleinmond, responded directly to the scene while NSRI rescue craft were launched at NSRI Hermanus station 17 rescue base and at NSRI Kleinmond station 42 rescue base.

NSRI Hermanus and NSRI Kleinmond rescue vehicles, the SA Police Services, WC Government Health EMS ambulance and EMS rescue squad, ER24 ambulance services, Overstrand Fire and Rescue Services, Overstand Law Enforcement, Overstrand Safety and Security and CMC ambulance services (Critical Medical Care), responded.  

On arrival on the scene a search commenced for a 14 year old male, from Grabouw, reported to have gone missing in the water while swimming.

A Metro Rescue drone unit was activated.

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

2 NSRI rescue craft searched in and beyond the surf zone. NSRI rescue swimmers were deployed into the water conducting free dive sweeping line search efforts, while a Metro Rescue drone conducted aerial search efforts.

Despite extensive aerial, sea and shoreline search efforts, there remains no signs of the missing teenager who was last seen in the water offshore of rocks at "op die punt", Hawston Beach.

Police have opened an investigation and Police divers (WPDS) are tasked in ongoing search efforts.

Thoughts and care are with the family and friends of the missing teenager in this difficult time.