Monwabisi : One teenager is missing, 4 rescued, by Good Samaritans

At 11h02, Saturday, 16 May, NSRI Strandfontein duty crew were activated following eyewitness reports of a drowning in progress at Monwabisi Beach.

At 11h02 on Saturday, 16 May, National Sea Rescue Institute Station 16 Strandfontein duty crew were activated following eyewitness reports of a drowning in progress at Monwabisi Beach.

The City of Cape Town water rescue network was alerted, and multiple emergency services responded to the scene, including NSRI Strandfontein rescue swimmers and rescue crew, the South African Police Service, Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services, Western Cape Government Health EMS rescue squad and ambulance services, ER24 ambulance services and City of Cape Town Law Enforcement.

Initial reports indicated that at least three people were in distress in the surf, while one person had already been rescued by a bystander believed to be wearing a lifeguard shirt.

On arrival at the scene, rescuers found four local male teenagers, believed to be between the ages of 13 and 17, on the beach. The teenagers were injured and displaying symptoms consistent with non-fatal drowning. They informed rescuers that a fifth member of their group, a 17-year-old local male, remained missing in the surf zone.

Medical treatment for the four teenagers commenced immediately while an extensive search operation was launched. NSRI deployed the rescue craft JetRIB Sharon, stationed at the NSRI Strandfontein satellite rescue base at Monwabisi Beach.

Paramedics from EMS, Fire and Rescue Services and ER24 took over medical care of the four patients on scene.

Preliminary investigations conducted by NSRI, in cooperation with Police and Law Enforcement, indicate that the group of five teenagers had been swimming when they were caught in strong rip currents.

A man believed to be a lifeguard reportedly used an NSRI Pink Rescue bBuoy, stationed at Monwabisi Beach, to rescue one of the casualties. Eyewitnesses further reported that several surfers and Good Samaritans used their surfboards to assist in rescuing three additional teenagers from the water. The unidentified bystanders, surfers and the man believed to be a lifeguard have been commended for their efforts.

Police Water Policing and Diving Services (WPDS) were activated and police divers responded to the scene. Despite an extensive sea and shoreline search conducted by all responding agencies, no sign of the missing teenager had been found by Saturday evening.

The four injured teenagers were transported to hospital by EMS ambulance. Two were reported to be in stable condition, while two were in serious but stable condition. All four are expected to make full recoveries under hospital care.

Police divers continue ongoing search efforts for the missing teenager.

Thoughts remain with the teenagers, their families and the family of the missing teenager during this difficult time.

The eyewitness who raised the alarm has also been commended for his swift actions.

Police have opened an investigation into the incident.