KwaZulu-Natal: Late yesterday afternoon, a 16-year-old boy went missing after being swept out to sea whilst swimming at Blythedale beach.
The Gledhow scholar was swimming when he got into difficulty and was swept away from the shore. An off duty police officer noticed the swimmer in difficulty and alerted IPSS Medical Rescue and KDM Fire and Rescue. The IPSS water rescue division, together with KDM lifeguards, responded to the beach and initiated an extensive search. The search was suspended with negative results, due to fading light.
Lifeguards had already closed the beach and the necessary warning flags were displayed. The public is urged to always adhere to cautionary flags and directives.
The Search resumed at first light today with a team consisting of Police Divers from Durban Search and Rescue, KDM Fire & Rescue and IPSS Aquatic Rescue Team patrolling the shoreline and backline. The IPSS drone was also utilized.
The Victim could not be located and the Search was again suspended due to the severe weather.
The boy was last seen wearing boxer shorts and a white T-shirt. An appeal is made to anyone with further information on the whereabouts of the missing scholar to contact the SAPS.
SAPS Search and Rescue launches https://t.co/OJiIgOOaxK search for teen at Blythedale beach #ArriveAlive #Drowning @SAPoliceService pic.twitter.com/h6IkF5uGot
— Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) October 2, 2018
