EAST LONDON – At 12:30 on Saturday, 24 January Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality lifeguards reported a drowning in progress at Eastern Beach, East London.
NSRI East London duty crew were activated following a request for assistance made to the NSRI Emergency Operations Centre.
Lifeguards had reached a local 14-year-old male and rescued him as they were engaged in a search for a local 16-year-old male who had gone missing in the surf zone.
This is according to a statement by Cathrine Prentis, NSRI East London station commander.
“The two teenagers who are friends, had been swimming when it appears that they may have been caught in rip currents.
“Our NSRI rescue vehicle responded and we launched our NSRI JetRIB rescue craft.
The South African Police Service, NSRI rescue swimmers, Government Health EMS, Police K9 Search and Rescue, Red Alert ambulance services and Priority Care ambulance services responded.
“On arrival on the scene, NSRI, Police and the emergency services joined BCMM lifeguards in ongoing sea and shoreline search operations for the missing teenager.”
The 14-year-old male was transported to hospital by ambulance in a serious but stable condition. He is expected to make a full recovery, the statement announced.
“Despite extensive sea and shoreline search efforts, there remain no signs of the missing 16-year-old teenager.
“Police Search and Rescue and Police K9 Search and Rescue are continuing search operations assisted by BCMM lifeguards and by NSRI East London.
“Our thoughts and care are with the family of the missing teenager during this difficult time.”
