Teenager drowns near Kenton-on-Sea

At 13h29, Saturday, 31 January, NSRI Port Alfred duty crew and NSRI crew from the NSRI Port Alfred satellite station Kenton-on-Sea were activated following a request from Police reporting to be on the scene at Boesmansrivier Mouth, Kenton-on-Sea, where a male teenager was missing following a reported drowning accident.

NSRI rescue swimmers responded and the NSRI rescue vehicle towed the NSRI rescue craft JetRIB, Spirit of Kenton, that was launched onto the Boesmansrivier.

Gardmed ambulance services were activated.

On arrival on the scene NSRI crew assisted Police in shoreline search efforts while the NSRI rescue craft searched on the river in the vicinity where friends of a local 14 year old male indicated where he had last been seen while swimming - and in the direction of currents during an incoming Spring high tide.

It was reported that the teenager was swimming with friends when he disappeared under water.

During search efforts NSRI crew onboard the NSRI rescue craft investigated what appeared to be a body under water. An NSRI rescue swimmer was deployed into the water and the body of the teenager was located and recovered onto the NSRI rescue craft and brought to Gardmed paramedics.

Sadly the teenager was declared deceased by paramedics.

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

Police have opened an Inquest docket.

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