Search continues for missing 11-year-old at Silver Beach, Port Edward

Police divers are continuing search efforts for an 11-year-old boy who went missing in the surf at Silver Beach, Port Edward, after being caught in rip currents while swimming with classmates on Tuesday, 22 September.

At 17h50 on Tuesday, 22 September, NSRI Port Edward duty crew were activated following reports from Police Search and Rescue, who were responding to a drowning in progress at Silver Beach, Port Edward.

NSRI rescue swimmers, who happened to be nearby at the time, responded immediately. One rescue swimmer entered the water and began a free dive search in the area where an 11-year-old boy, a Grade 6 learner, had last been seen in the surf zone after appearing to be caught in rip currents while swimming with fellow learners.

Additional NSRI crew responded to the scene, and the rescue craft Spirit of Santam III was launched to conduct extensive search efforts in and beyond the surf zone. The SA Police Service and Police Search and Rescue (Water Policing and Diving Service) attended, assisting in the search.

The remaining children, who had been swimming together at the time, were brought safely out of the water and are in the care of their guardians.

Despite extensive sea and shoreline search efforts, no sign of the missing child has been found. Police divers, through Police Search and Rescue, continue ongoing search efforts.

It appears that during a secondary school excursion from Flagstaff, Eastern Cape, a group of learners were swimming together when the boy was caught in rip currents and swept away before disappearing in the surf zone.

The school group and the child's family are in the care of Police, who have opened an investigation.

Our thoughts and care are with the family of the missing child, and with the school, during this difficult time.