DURBAN - The search continues for a 20-year-old Johannesburg man who went missing after he was caught in rip currents while swimming with a friend at Kidds Beach in Port Edward on the South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal yesterday.
National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) said police search and rescue were still searching for the missing man.
NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon said the NSRI Port Edward duty crew were activated at around 8.30am on Monday following eyewitness reports of a drowning in progress.
He said NSRI rescue swimmers responded directly to the scene.
The SAPS, Police Search and Rescue, Netcare 911, KwaZulu Ambulance Services and Port Edward traffic services responded.
Lambinon said on arrival at the scene a 19-year-old male was found safely out of the water suffering non-fatal drowning symptoms while it was reported that a 20-year-old man was missing in the surf.
He said a search commenced.
“It appears that while they were swimming together they were caught in rip currents. The teenager attempted to assist his friend who then disappeared under water. The teenager was able to get free of the rip current and he came ashore,” said Lambinon.
According to Lambinon, bystanders entered the water to search for the missing man.
He said NSRI jet-rib Rescue 32 Alpha craft was launched, accompanied by Police Search and Rescue divers while the teenager was transported to hospital in a stable condition.
Lambinon added that the teenager has recovered.
“Despite an extensive sea and shoreline search, there remains no sign of the missing man. Police are continuing in a search. Our thoughts are with the family of the missing man in this difficult time,” he said.
THE MERCURY