Nic Stevens, NSRI Mykonos station commander, said: At 17h51, Wednesday, 15 November, NSRI Mykonos duty crew were activated by the SA Police Services responding to Veldrift, Laaiplek, following eye witness reports of a drowning in progress.
The SA Police Services, SAPS WPDS (Water Policing and Dive Services), NSRI Mykonos rescue swimmers (who were conducting routine training in the area at the time), the NSRI Mykonos, West Coast Medical and WC Government Health EMS responded.
On arrival on the scene a search commenced for a local male child believed to be aged approximately 12 years old who had gone missing in the water after reportedly being caught in rip currents in the wave line during an outgoing tide.
SAPS WPDS divers launched a Police boat. NSRI Mykonos launched their NSRI rescue craft Rotary Onwards from our NSRI Mykonos satellite station at St Helena Bay.
Police, paramedics, NSRI Mykonos shore crew and community members conducted shoreline search efforts.
Despite an extensive sea and shoreline search there remains no sign of the child.
SAPS WPDS divers are continuing in an ongoing search.
Family of the missing child are in the care of Police and support and thoughts are with the family in this difficult time.
Earlier, at 06h31, NSRI Mykonos and Police responded to Leentjiesklip Beach, Langebaan where we assisted a boat in difficulty.
The NSRI rescue craft Hansie towed them safely to the local slipway and they required no further assistance.
At 16h11 NSRI Mykonos and Police responded to St Helena Bay where it was reported 2 children were being swept out to sea on a small boat.
Prior to NSRI arriving on the scene Police on the scene confirmed that both children and their craft were safely ashore and that they required no further assistance.
Friday Ferrari
Uzbekistan: You have two cows. They are probably less bored than you.
Bloodeater
Fun South African Fact: South Africa is known as the “Rainbow Nation” thanks to its mix of cultures across the country. The status of being a cultural “melting pot” is evident in the fact that South Africa has a whopping 11 official languages: English, Afrikaans, isiZulu, isiXhosa, IsiNdebele, Sesotho, Northern Sotho, Setswana, SiSwati, Tshivenda, Xitsonga. Most South Africans speak more than one national language. IsiZulu is the most common first language and isiXhosa is second. Fun fact – did you know the people of Wakanda speak isiXhosa in Marvel’s Black Panther movie?