CAPE TOWN-The search continues for a missing male teenager from Grassy Park who was swept out to sea at Noordhoek Beach on Sunday 16 November.
At 16:00 on Sunday, the National Sea Rescue Institute’s (NSRI) Hout Bay duty crew and the City of Cape Town water rescue network crew were activated following eyewitness reports of a teenager being swept out to sea at Noordhoek Beach, below Chapmans Peak Drive.
“The male teenager, believed to be aged 15, from Grassy Park, reportedly went into the surf in attempts to retrieve a ball that had been swept off the rocks when he may have been caught in rip currents and he was swept out to sea before disappearing,” said NSRI Hout Bay station commander, Spencer Oldham.
NSRI rescue swimmers, Cape Medical Response (CMR), City Law Enforcement, City Disaster Risk Management (DRM) and the SA Police Services responded.
“NSRI Hout Bay (at sea at the time conducting routine training) dispatched the NSRI rescue craft Nadine Gordimer and Albie Matthews and the NSRI Hout Bay rescue craft Spirit of Gabby was launched while the NSRI Hout Bay rescue vehicle responded,” said Oldham.
NSRI Kommetjie were also alerted and launched the NSRI rescue craft Rescue 26 Alpha and the NSRI Kommetjie rescue vehicle responded.
“NSRI Simon’s Town dispatched NSRI crew and their NSRI rescue vehicle. The Western Cape Government Health Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Metro Control dispatched the EMS/AMS Skymed rescue helicopter. Police Water Policing and Diving Services (WPDS),” said Oldham.
An extensive search commenced for the teenager in the surf zone in strong South Easterly winds gusting to 45 knots.
Despite the extensive air, sea and shoreline search there remains no signs of the missing teenager.
Police WPDS will continue in ongoing search efforts.
“Thoughts and care are with the family and friends of the missing teenager in this difficult time,” said Oldham.
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