At 14h37, Thursday, 5 December, NSRI Port Alfred duty crew were activated following reports of a teenager missing at East Beach, Port Alfred.
The NSRI rescue craft, Spirit of Kenton, was launched, an NSRI Port Alfred rescue vehicle, NSRI rescue swimmers, the SA Police Services, Ndlambe Municipal and Beach authorities responded.
On arrival on the scene an extensive sea and shoreline search commenced for a teenager, age 16, who was last seen in the water while swimming with a group of friends, all from Soweto, Gauteng.
It appears that the group of teenagers and their 2 carers, who are their coaches, from Soweto, (who are in Port Alfred attending a sports event), had reportedly gone down to the beach to take a swim (not related to the sports event) when, while swimming, the teenager is suspected to have gone missing in the water, and the alarm was raised.
Police K9 Search and Rescue are activated to continue in an ongoing search and a missing persons case has been opened by Police who are coordinating efforts.
Despite an extensive sea and shoreline search there remains no signs of the missing teenager.
Thoughts, care and compassion, are with the family and friends of the missing teenager in this difficult time.
6 December Update:
On Friday, 6 December, The SA Police Services, Police K9 Search and Rescue (Police divers and a Police K9 team), assisted by Ndlambe Municipal Environmental officers, Ndlambe Beach authorities and Ndlambe lifeguards, continued in ongoing search efforts for a missing teenager, who had gone missing in the surf zone at East Beach on Thursday.
During ongoing search efforts, a body was located and recovered and taken into the care of Police and Government Health Forensic Pathology Services.
While formal identification by family is in progress, the body located and recovered is believed to be the missing teenager, age 16, from Soweto, Gauteng.
Family are in the care of Police, Forensic Pathology Services, Ndlambe Municipal authorities, Chaplain Services and the rowing sports community.
Condolences are conveyed to family and friends of the deceased teenager.
An Inquest docket has been opened by Police.
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