Urgent search for missing teenager and fisherman along Western Cape coast

Rescue teams are continuing intensive searches along the Western Cape coastline after two separate incidents left a teenager and a fisherman missing, while two other water emergencies saw tourists rescued in Britannia Bay and Gordon’s Bay.

A 15-year-old boy from Grassy Park remained missing on Sunday after being swept out to sea at Noordhoek Beach while trying to retrieve a ball. Despite a major multi-agency search, no trace of him has been found.

Spencer Oldham, NSRI Hout Bay station commander, said the alarm was raised at 4.03pm on Sunday after eyewitnesses saw the teen being pulled out by rip currents below Chapman’s Peak Drive.

“On arrival on the scene an extensive search commenced for the teenager in the surf zone in strong South Easterly winds gusting to 45 knots,” Oldham said.

Rescue swimmers, three NSRI rescue craft, City of Cape Town emergency teams, CMR, Law Enforcement, Disaster Risk Management, and the EMS/AMS Skymed helicopter joined the operation. Police divers were placed on standby.

“Despite the extensive air, sea and shoreline search there remains no signs of the missing teenager,” Oldham said. “Thoughts and care are with the family and friends of the missing teenager in this difficult time.”

On Friday, a 25-year-old Hawston man, the skipper of a small open fishing boat, disappeared after reportedly jumping into the water to retrieve personal items that had fallen overboard. He failed to resurface.

The incident occurred about 200m offshore of Hawston Harbour. NSRI Kleinmond and Hermanus launched rescue craft after receiving the call at 12.38pm. Overstrand authorities, SA Police Services and police divers also responded.

On arrival, responders confirmed that the boat had not capsized, and the second fisherman had reached the shore safely. Only the skipper remained missing.

An extensive search followed, involving three rescue craft, NSRI rescue swimmers conducting free-dive sweeping line searches and shoreline patrols. Friends of the missing man launched their own boat to assist.

Despite calm seas and hours of searching, the man has not been found. Police WPDS divers, assisted by NSRI and local authorities, will continue searching. “Thoughts and care are with the family and friends of the missing man in this difficult time,” the NSRI said.

The missing persons cases followed two non-fatal incidents earlier on Friday.

At 12.42pm, a 63-year-old British tourist was rescued in Britannia Bay after strong winds swept him and his kayak offshore. He was treated for hypothermia and reunited with family.

At 10.04am, a 76-year-old American man was stabilised on rocks near the Grille Shack after a suspected non-fatal drowning. He was hauled up slopes in a Stokes basket stretcher and taken to hospital. He has made a full recovery.

The NSRI continues to urge the public to be cautious around the coastline as conditions remain unpredictable.

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Cape Argus