Cathrine Prentis, NSRI East London station commander, said: At 12h30, Saturday, 24 January, NSRI East London duty crew were activated following a request for assistance made by BCMM (Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality) lifeguards to NSRI EOC (Emergency Operations Centre) reporting a drowning in progress at Eastern Beach, East London.
Lifeguards had reached a local 14 year old male and rescued him to shore and they were engaged in a search for a local 16 year old male who had gone missing in the surf zone.
The 2 teenagers, friends, had been swimming when it appears that they may have been caught in rip currents.
Our NSRI rescue vehicle responded and we launched our NSRI JetRIB rescue craft.
The SA Police Services, NSRI rescue swimmers, EC Government Health EMS, Police K9 Search and Rescue, Red Alert ambulance services and Priority Care ambulance services responded.
On arrival on the scene NSRI, Police and the emergency services joined BCMM lifeguards in ongoing sea and shoreline search operations for the missing teenager.
The 14 year old male, that was rescued by lifeguards, was transported to hospital by ambulance in a serious but stable condition. He is expected to make a full recovery.
Despite extensive sea and shoreline search efforts there remains no signs of the missing 16 year old teenager.
Police Search and Rescue and Police K9 Search and Rescue are continuing in ongoing search operations assisted by BCMM lifeguards and by NSRI East London.
Our thoughts and care are with the family of the missing teenager in this difficult time.
Berlin Kamikaze
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Tough Nut
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