NSRI Simonstown: Teenager Missing and Another Hospitalised…

Darren Zimmerman, NSRI Simonstown station commander, said:

At 11h22, Wednesday, 24 December, CoCT (City of Cape Town) lifeguards commenced a rescue operation, in front of the Fish Hoek Surf Lifesaving Club, for 2 teenagers caught in rip currents.

The CoCT water rescue network was activated.

NSRI Simonstown rescue swimmers, CoCT law enforcement, CMR (Cape Medical Response), WC Government Health EMS, Cape Town Fire and Rescue Services and the SA Police Services, responded.

NSRI coastwatchers  above Fish Hoek were deployed to look out.

EMS Metro Control dispatched the EMS/AMS Skymed rescue helicopter.

Police WPDS (Water Policing and Diving Services) were alerted.

CoCT lifeguards rescued an 18 year old male (from Belhar, Cape Town) from the water while a search continued for a missing 18 year old male (from Montana, Cape Town)

The rescued teenager was transported to hospital by CMR ambulance in a serious but stable condition.

Rescue resources, rescue craft and the Skymed rescue helicopter, arriving on the scene, joined CoCT lifeguards in ongoing search efforts for the missing teenager – including 5 rescue craft – 2 NSRI rescue craft, 2 lifeguard rescue craft and a Law Enforcement marine unit rescue craft and the Skymed rescue helicopter.

Despite extensive air, sea and shoreline search efforts there remains no signs of the missing 18 year old male.

Police WPDS responded and Police divers, assisted by a Police Air Wing helicopter, have taken over in ongoing search efforts for the missing teenager.

Thoughts and care are with the families and friends of the missing teenager in this difficult time and the teenager transported to hospital.

It appears that there were a group of teenagers at the beach with a carer when the 2 teenagers went into the water and were caught in rip currents.