Police Search and Rescue are continuing to search for a 20-year-old Johannesburg man who went missing in the surf at Kidds Beach, Port Edward on Monday this week. Gert du Plessis, NSRI Port Edward station commander, said the duty crew was activated following eye-witness reports of a drowning in progress.

NSRI rescue swimmers responded directly to the scene and the SA Police Services, Police Search and Rescue, ambulance services and Port Edward Traffic Services responded while the NSRI jet-rib, Rescue 32 Alpha, was launched.

Du Plessis said that on arrival on the scene a teen (19) was safely out of the water, suffering non-fatal drowning symptoms but a man (20) was missing in the surf. A search commenced.

“It appeared 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,” he said.

Bystanders entered the water to search for the missing man. NSRI launched its jet-rib accompanied a by police search and rescue diver. The teenager was transported to hospital in a stable condition by ambulance, and he has recovered.

Despite an extensive sea and shoreline search there remains no sign of the missing man. Police are continuing in the search. “Our thoughts are with the family of the missing man in this difficult time,” said Du Plessis. HAVE

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