Young boy tragically washed off rocks at Sandy Bay

A 9-year-old child was tragically washed off rocks at Sandy Bay on the Atlantic Seaboard, South Africa, yesterday afternoon (Sunday 2 July 2023).

The young boy, from Hout Bay, was with friends and relatives when the tragic incident occurred, according to the NSRI. The group had gone to Sandy Bay, and while standing on a rock on the shoreline a wave apparently swept the child off the rocks into the sea.

Rescue services were alerted at around 15h47. The SA Police Service was on the scene. The NSRI (Hout Bay and Bakoven) launched rescue crafts, and the EMS/AMS Skymed rescue helicopter was activated by the WC Government Health EMS.

Carmen Long, NSRI Hout Bay deputy station commander, said unfortunately “along the barely accessible terrain an extensive sea, air and shoreline search revealed no signs of the missing child.”

Police divers held a briefing at NSRI Hout Bay after daylight was lost at the search area.

The police dive unit is continuing an ongoing search, said the NSRI.

“Thoughts are with the family and friends of the missing child in this difficult time,” Long said in a press statement.

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