A day out at the beach turned tragic today when one teen drowned and three others are still missing at sea in Sea Point.
According to the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), the four friends, all teenage foreign nationals, were caught up in rip currents after entering the water when a wave washed over them at Rocklands Beach.
Three surfers nearby managed to recover one of the teens and signalled to an NSRI rescue swimmer for help. When he reached the surfers, around 200m off-shore, he performed CPR in an attempt to save him.
The surfers and the 15-year-old were brought to shore where advanced life support CPR was performed but the teenager was declared dead shortly after.
The other three friends are still missing and an extensive sea, air and shoreline search is being conducted to find them. According to NSRI, three rescue craft, a police boat, an EMA/AMS Skymed helicopter and fire rescue divers are on scene to assist in the search. A police diving unit were also activated and will continue searching.
The families of the teenagers have opened missing person reports in the meantime, with police offering trauma counselling.
“Condolences are conveyed to family and friends of the deceased teenager and our thoughts and support remain with the families of the three missing teenagers in this difficult time,” said NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon.
Image: @Majahonke/Twitter