The search for a teen believed to be part of a group of university students who were visiting the Wilderness over the weekend continues after the drowning of a 22-year-old on Friday.
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In a statement, the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) said it received reports of a drowning in progress at the beach in front of Views Hotel shortly after 4pm on Friday afternoon.
NSRI Wilderness Station Commander Mike Vonk said the group of students were swimming when rip currents developed.
While some of the students exited the water, the 22-year-old got caught in the current.
According to Vonk, the 22-year-old’s body was found by NSRI rescue swimmers past the backline of the waves, while an 18-year-old who tried to rescue her is still missing.
“She (the 22-year-old) was unresponsive,” said Vonk.
“The rescue swimmers initiated chest compressions while swimming towards the shore. An NSRI rescue craft recovered her in the mid-surf break and recovered her onto the NSRI rescue craft.”
“With rescue chest compressions continuing to be assisted by the NSRI crew, she was rescued to the beach where CPR efforts were commenced by NSRI medics, paramedics and an off-duty doctor.”
The woman was transported to hospital by a Frontier Medix ambulance in critical condition.
“NSRI has learnt that she sadly passed away during the night after all efforts to save her were exhausted,” Vonk added.
“The search continued for a male university student, believed to be (of) age 18, who remained missing in the surf.”
“On Friday an extensive sea and shoreline search revealed no sign of the missing teenager,” said Vonk.
The police dive unit, NSRI Wilderness and George Fire and Rescue Services are continuing with the search for the missing teenager.
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Picture: NSRI