The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) continues its searches for a 13-year-old boy from KwaZulu-Natal along the South Coast who went missing at the weekend.

The teenager went missing just after 12pm on Saturday, February 1, near Umzumbe.

One person has died and another is recovering in hospital after the incident.

NSRI Shelly Beach duty controller, Melodie Herrmann said duty crews were activated following reports of a drowning in progress near Umzumbe, in front of Mocking Bird Chalet's, Hibberdene.

“It was reported that at least five people appeared to be in difficulties in the water - some reported to be family members of a teenager that was swept out to sea and Good Samaritans, attempting to rescue the teenager and assist the family members - all reported to be caught in rip currents,” Herrmann said.

NSRI Shelly Beach rescue swimmers, Umzumbe lifeguards, an NSRI Shelly Beach rescue vehicle, Med-Evac ambulance services, police Search and Rescue, Gladiator Security, Laser 911 security and ambulance services, and the South African Police Services (SAPS) responded. The NSRI rescue craft Freemasons Way was launched.

“While responding to the scene it was reported that a 13-year-old male child remained missing and that family members (who had attempted to rescue the teenager) and at least two unidentified Good Samaritans, one armed with an NSRI pink rescue buoy and one armed with a floatation device (a swimming pool noodle), were out of the water, where cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) efforts were in progress by a doctor (who happened to be at the beach), and bystanders, on a 36-year-old male (a family member of the missing teenager),” Herrmann said.

She said when paramedics got to the scene, they assisted with resuscitation efforts on the man but sadly, he was declared dead at the scene.

A 40-year-old man, also a family member was assisted by medical personnel on scene for non-fatal drowning symptoms.

He was transported to the hospital by ambulance, in a serious condition, where he is recovering in the care of doctors and nurses.

The doctor who assisted on the scene is commended for his efforts.

“A search continued for the missing teenager but despite extensive search efforts there remains no signs of the teenager who had disappeared underwater after reportedly being swept off a sandbank by waves and then caught in rip currents,” Herrmann said.

Police divers are continuing an ongoing search for the teenager.

An inquest docket has been opened by SAPS.

“NSRI commends the family members and Good Samaritans for their efforts in this incident. We also commend local public members that helped prevent additional family members from entering the water which may have led to further tragedy in this already tragic incident,” Herrmann added.

robin.francke@iol.co.za

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