Police divers are continuing in an ongoing search for a teenager who went missing off Umzumbe.

Tragedy struck on Saturday afternoon at 12:19, when at least five people, some of who were family members, were swept out to sea.

Melodie Herrmann, NSRI Shelly Beach duty controller, said NSRI Shelly Beach duty crew members were activated following reports of a drowning in progress off Umzumbe.

NSRI Shelly Beach rescue swimmers, Umzumbe lifeguards, an NSRI Shelly Beach rescue vehicle, Med-Evac ambulance services, Police Search and Rescue, Gladiator Security, Laser 911 security and ambulance services and the SA Police Services all responded.

The NSRI rescue craft Freemasons Way was launched.

Family members, who had attempted to rescue the teenage boy, were helped out of the water by two unidentified good Samaritans – one armed with an NSRI pink rescue buoy and one armed with a swimming pool noodle.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation efforts were made by a doctor, who happened to be at the beach, and bystanders, on a man (36), who was a family member and a Durban Metro Police officer.

On arrival at the scene paramedics assisted with resuscitation efforts on the man but he was declared on the scene.

Another family member, aged 40, was treated on the scene, suffering non-fatal drowning symptoms. He was taken to hospital  in a serious condition.

Craig Lambinon, spokesman of NSRI, said a search continued for the missing teenager but despite extensive search efforts there remains no sign of the boy, who had disappeared under water after reportedly being swept off a sand bank by waves and then caught in rip currents.

Lambinon said the doctor who assisted on the scene should be commended for his efforts.

“NSRI commend the family members and Good Samaritans for their efforts in this incident. We also commend local public members that helped in preventing additional family members from entering the water which may have led to further tragedy in this already tragic incident,” said Lambinon.

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