At 15h07, Saturday, 3 October, NSRI St Lucia duty crew were activated following reports of a drowning in progress at Cape Vidal Beach.
Eyewitness reports indicated that 3 teenagers were in distress in the surf zone, appearing to be caught in rip currents.
NSRI rescue swimmers responded directly to the scene, and our NSRI rescue vehicle, towing our JetRIB rescue craft, Rescue 40 Bravo, responded.
The SA Police Service was alerted, and SISILA EMS ambulance services responded.
On arrival on the scene, we found that one teenager had managed to get back to the beach and was not injured. A 14-year-old male had been rescued by a father and his teenage son, Good Samaritans, who we believe had entered the water with a body board.
The dad was able to rescue the 14-year-old to the beach while his son continued to search for the 16-year-old who had disappeared underwater.
A female Good Samaritan from Benoni helped the man get the 14-year-old out of the water.
They are commended for their efforts.
Our NSRI rescue craft was launched from the beach and conducted extensive search efforts in and beyond the surf zone for a 16-year-old male who had gone missing in the surf zone.
Despite extensive sea and shoreline search efforts, there are no signs of the missing teenager.
NSRI medics attended to the 14-year-old on the beach. He was treated on the scene for non-fatal drowning symptoms and handed into the care of SISILA EMS paramedics and transported to hospital by SISILA EMS ambulance in a stable condition. He is expected to make a full recovery.
The rescued teenager and the missing teenager, locals from Mtubatuba, friends visiting the beach with family, had been swimming together with a friend when it appears they were caught in rip currents.
Police have opened an investigation.
Police Search and Rescue - WPDS (Water Policing and Diving Service), assisted by iSimangaliso Wetland Park rangers, are continuing ongoing search efforts for the missing teenager.
Thoughts and care are with the family of the missing teenager in this difficult time.
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