The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Knysna Station 12 duty crew were alerted to reports of a drowning in progress at Noetzie Beach, near Knysna, yesterday afternoon, 2 October.
NSRI rescue swimmers, SA Police Services and an ER24 ambulance responded and were directed to the location while the NSRI rescue crafts JayTee IV and Katharine were launched.
Also read: City explains dramatic changes to Cape Town’s Atlantic coastline
On arrival at the scene, the rescue team began searching for an approximately 8-year-old boy who had gone missing in the water while swimming with friends. It became evident that he had gone missing after an adult called the children back to the shore.
Reports suggest that the child may have been caught in a rip current before he disappeared underwater. An adult bystander had made an attempt to rescue the boy; unfortunately, the current was too strong.
Duran de Villiers, a local from the area, volunteered his private helicopter in the search operation, while rescue swimmers were deployed into the surf to conduct free dive sweeping line search efforts.
Despite extensive air, sea and shoreline searches, there remains no sign of the child. Police divers are continuing the search today, with SAPS Water Policing and Dive Services attending the scene as well.
Also read:
Two young boys drown while kayaking on the Nature’s Valley Lagoon
Picture: National Sea Rescue Institute