Search continues for missing 17-year-old after surf rescue at Umdloti Beach
A 17-year-old boy, believed to be a local resident, is missing after getting into difficulty in the surf at Umdloti Main Beach, north of Durban, on Wednesday, December 18.
According to the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Durban, the teenager disappeared in the water after lifeguards rescued two other bathers, aged 18 and 19, from the surf.
All three males reportedly ran into trouble offshore of the Umdloti tidal pool.
NSRI Durban station commander Etienne van Zyl said emergency services were activated at about 3.47pm following a request for assistance from eThekwini lifeguards operating on the KwaZulu-Natal Surf Rescue Network. The NSRI Durban rescue craft Victor Daitz was launched from Umhlanga, while NSRI Ballito deployed rescue craft Rescue 41 Alpha.
Rescue swimmers, NSRI vehicles, South African Police Service members, Netcare 911 paramedics and Durban Metro Police Search and Rescue teams responded, joining eThekwini lifeguards and Marshall Security officers at the scene.
Van Zyl said extensive sea and shoreline searches were conducted, including free-diving efforts by eThekwini lifeguards and an NSRI rescue swimmer, as well as shoreline patrols.
At the time of writing, there had been no sign of the missing teenager.
Police Water Policing and Diving Services, SAPS Search and Rescue and Durban Metro Police Search and Rescue, assisted by eThekwini lifeguards, are continuing search operations.
“Our thoughts and care are with the family and friends of the missing teenager during this difficult time,” Van Zyl said.
IOL News