Missing person: 19-year-old disappears after swimming in Port Shepstone

A 19-year-old teenage boy is missing after going for a swim at Oslo Beach in Port Shepstone, KwaZulu-Natal, on Sunday, 14 May.

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EYEWITNESSES REPORT DROWNING IN PROGRESS IN PORT SHEPSTONE

Early on Sunday, eyewitnesses at Oslo Beach reported drowning in progress. The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) and municipal lifeguards were alerted at approximately 7:41.

“An NSRI Shelly Beach rescue craft jet-rib, at sea at the time, and NSRI rescue swimmers, responded. The SA Police Services, Police Search and Rescue and Netcare 911 ambulance services were activated,” said Gary Wolmerans, the NSRI Shelly Beach station commander.

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EXTENSIVE AIR, SEA, AND SHORELINE SEARCH LAUNCHED

The search took the skies with a local helicopter pilot joining in, and members of the community used drones to help with the efforts.

Despite the extensive air, sea and shoreline search, there was no sign of the 19-year-old, who is still missing.

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Wolmerans said it is believed the victim was caught in rip currents while swimming before witnesses lost sight of him in the surf line.

“Police Search and Rescue are continuing in an ongoing search operation, and Police have opened an investigation,” said the NSRI.

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This article was originally published by STORM SIMPSON.