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Victoria Bay: 2 Local Males Missing in the Surf

Thoughts, care and compassion are with the families of 2 local males, age 20 and age 17, who went missing on Saturday early evening at Victoria Bay, George, reportedly while swimming.

A search that commenced on Saturday early evening is ongoing.

Mike Vonk, NSRI Wilderness station commander, said:

At 17h55, Saturday, 31 August, NSRI Wilderness duty crew were activated by the SA Police Services following reports of 2 swimmers in distress caught in rip currents at Victoria Bay.

NSRI Wilderness rescue swimmers responded directly to the scene while NSRI crew responded to our NSRI Wilderness station 23 rescue base and launched the NSRI rescue craft Ann Stratford.

George Fire and Rescue services and WC Government Health EMS rescue squad and the SA Police Services responded.

Multiple calls were by that stage being received by eyewitnesses reporting the drowning in progress.

On arrival on the scene we found eyewitnesses indicating where 2 swimmers had disappeared in the surf zone after being swept out to sea by rip currents.

An extensive sea and shoreline search revealed no sign of the missing two.

Search efforts included NSRI rescue swimmers conducting free dive search efforts in the surf zone.

It was confirmed that a group of 6 young men had come to swim at Victoria Bay and while swimming the teenager and the young man were caught in rip currents.

On Sunday, 1 September, NSRI Wilderness launched rescue craft and deployed free dive rescue swimmers to assist Police (WPDS) Water Policing and Diving Services, in an ongoing search.

Also assisting in the search on Sunday are George Fire and Rescue Services, the SA Police Services and WC Government Health EMS rescue squad.

A George Fire and Rescue Services drone is being used in the search.

Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the missing man and of the missing teenager in this difficult time.

Police divers (WPDS) are continuing in an ongoing search.

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