Wilderness: Teen disappears after reports of a ‘drowning in progress’

A teenager believed to be aged 15 or 16 years old is missing after eye-witnesses reported a “drowning in progress” at Gwaing River Mouth near Wilderness at 12:51 on Tuesday 30 March.

National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Wilderness Station Commander Garth Dominy said the teen was swimming with friends when he encountered difficulty.

NSRI rescue crew and swimmers responded to the scene along with provincial and municipal rescue services and the police.

RESCUE SERVICES SCAN WILDERNESS AREA FOR MISSING TEEN

The rescue swimmers headed straight to the scene in a rescue vehicle while the NSRI crew headed to nearby Herolds Bay where they launched the Oscars Rescue sea craft.

The Western Cape Government Health EMS rescue squad and the George Fire and Rescue Service also responded.

“On arrival on the scene a sea and shoreline search commenced for a local male teenager, believed to be aged 15 or 16, who was last seen appearing to be in difficulty in the surf while swimming with friends before he disappeared in the water,” said Garth Dominy.

Rescue services thoroughly combed the area but the missing teenager was nowhere to be found. A South African Police Service (SAPS) Dive Unit is continuing the search.

“Thoughts are with the family and friends of the missing teenager in this difficult time,” said Dominy.

SEVERAL DROWNINGS TOOK PLACE ACROSS SOUTH AFRICA IN FEBRUARY

Last month, the NSRI endured a particularly harrowing weekend when it responded to several fatal and non-fatal drowning accidents involving children and adults across the country.

“We are urgently appealing to the public to adopt a safety-conscious mindset around water particularly now that beaches are reopened to the public and in light of floods from heavy rainfalls being experienced or expected to be experienced in some provinces,” said the Institute on Monday 8 February 2021.

On the same weekend, seven children and one adult drowned in the Free State when the car they were occupying was allegedly swept into a river on Sunday 7 February.