A weekend of intensive search and rescue operations along the Overstrand coastline has left a family anxiously waiting for answers, while police continue to appeal for information following a separate suspected drowning incident, reports Cape {town} Etc.
National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) teams from Kleinmond and Hermanus, together with Police Water Policing and Diving Services (WPDS) and multiple emergency services, were deployed to two separate incidents over the weekend.
The first incident occurred in Palmiet Lagoon near Kleinmond, where a 16-year-old boy from Caledon went missing while swimming on Saturday afternoon. According to NSRI Kleinmond coxswain Michael Markovina, rescue teams were activated at 12:25pm after reports of a drowning in progress at the Palmiet Day Camp.
NSRI rescue swimmers, Western Cape Government Health EMS, an EMS Metro Rescue Drone Unit, SAPS, Overstrand Fire and Rescue Services, Overstrand Law Enforcement and Traffic Services all responded. The NSRI rescue craft Sea Ranger 5 was launched, while Police WPDS divers joined the operation.
‘Despite extensive search efforts, including sweeping line free dive search efforts, no signs of the missing teenager was located on Saturday,’ said Markovina.
The search resumed early on Sunday, led by Police WPDS, with NSRI crews conducting a full perimeter search of the lagoon, supported by scuba dive operations, surface searches and additional free-dive efforts.
‘Despite extensive ongoing search efforts on Sunday there remains no signs of the teenager. Police divers (WPDS) will continue in ongoing search efforts,’ Markovina added.
‘Thoughts and care are with the family of the missing teenager in this difficult time.’
While search efforts continued on Saturday, a second incident was reported at Draadbaai in Betty’s Bay. At around 1:41pm, NSRI Kleinmond was alerted by an eyewitness who believed that two men seen on rocks along the shoreline may have been swept into the sea by waves.
Rescue swimmers, NSRI rescue vehicles, SAPS, EMS, Overstrand Law Enforcement and aerial resources, including the EMS/AMS Skymed rescue helicopter, were deployed. NSRI Hermanus launched the rescue craft Leonard Smith, while NSRI Kleinmond dispatched Spirit of Surfski 2.
‘On arrival on the scene, an extensive sea, air and shoreline search revealed no signs of any persons in distress,’ said Markovina.
‘There remains no missing persons report that may be related to this case at Betty’s Bay.
‘Police are appealing for information that can assist in investigations related to this case, at Draadbaai, Betty’s Bay, where it was suspected that two men may have been in difficulties along the shoreline on Saturday afternoon – Kleinmond Police station: 0282718200.’
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Picture: NSRI / Facebook
