Matric girl washed off shore-break, drowns at Blythdale
Three matriculant girls from Mandeni were celebrating the end of exams and were taking photos of each on the shore-break at Blythedale beach before the tragedy.
A 19-year-old girl is missing after a wave reportedly washed her into the sea at Blythedale beach at about 4.45pm today.
Witnesses contacted KwaDukuza lifeguards and IPSS Medical Rescue for help.
“Three matriculant girls from Mandeni were celebrating the end of exams and were taking photos of each other on the shore-break when a wave washed one of the girls into the sea and she disappeared,” said KwaDukuza Lifeguard supervisor Bongani Xulu.
“My lifeguards had finished for the day and were on their way home when they received the call.
“They turned around and headed to Blythedale beach and contacted me and I immediately responded.
“Rescue swimmers and jetskies where launched with lifeguards and the IPSS Medical Rescue aquatic unit who searched tirelessly for the woman,” said IPSS Medical rescue’s Paul Herbst.
“We only had about an hour of daylight left to look for her,” said Xulu.
The search was suspended owing to poor weather conditions and will resume at first light.
Xulu said the drowning was similar to the one at Zimbali last year.
“This is so tragic. We try our best to caution people about the dangers of the sea,” Xulu said.
Swimmers are urged to only swim when lifeguards are on duty and in designated swimming areas.
WATCH: Lifeguard search for a matriculant washed into the sea by a wave.
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