It has been a busy time for the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) who spent the weekend keeping their eyes on the water. Unfortunately, a number of incidents have been reported as countless residents headed to the ocean to cool off in the waters.
Two incidents, in particular, had been reported over the weekend in Mossel Bay at De Bakke Beach and the Mossel Bay Gold Estate.
On Saturday at around 2:53pm, the NSRI Mossel Bay duty crew were activated following reports of a drowning in progress at De Bakke Beach. According to the NSRI, teams had also been alerted of an individual who had reportedly fallen down cliffs into the sea at the St Blaize walking trail at Mossel Bay Golf Estate.
According to the NSRI Mossel Bay station commander, Andre Fraser, teams had been conducting a routine training course at the sea rescue station before immediately jumping into action with the ER24 ambulance services, By Grace ambulance services, SA Police Services and a Police Dive Unit responded along to assist.
“Eye-witness information indicated that 2 children were in difficulty in the surf when one managed to get out of the water and one had disappeared underwater.
It appears that while swimming a local 13-year-old male got into difficulty when his brother, aged 17, tried to assist him. The 17-year-old brother had then managed to get back to shore when the 13-year-old had disappeared underwater,” Fraser said.
After an extensive search, the young boy was recovered and placed onto the sea rescue craft where CPR efforts commenced. Once the teenager was brought to shore, paramedics continued CPR efforts but to no avail. The teenager could not be resuscitated and was declared deceased.
On Sunday, 20 March, the team was activated once again after a person had reportedly fallen down cliffs and into the sea following a stroll along St Blaize walking trail at Mossel Bay Golf Estate.
A shoreline and sea search commenced with two helicopters joining the search.
Despite the extensive sea, shoreline and air search, the 23-year-old male has yet to be found.
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A busy weekend for NSRI with incidents in Bakoven, Sedgefield and Plettenberg Bay
Picture: NSRI