Teen drowns at Pelican Island

ANOTHER young man’s life came to a tragic end while swimming at Pelican Island on Friday afternoon.

The 19-year-old Mzingazi resident is the second person to have drowned at the popular recreational spot in Richards Bay since the beginning of the festive season.

According to the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Richards Bay, its rescue duty crew, police and Netcare 911 were called out at 1.44pm with reports of a drowning in progress at the Bay Hall area.

‘After an initial surface sea search revealed no sign of the missing teenager, a police dive unit conducted an underwater search, and during that search the missing teenager’s body was located and brought to shore, where paramedics declared him deceased,’ a NSRI statement said.

‘The young man’s body has been handed into the care of the Forensic Pathology Services and police have opened an inquest docket.

‘Police trauma counsellors are assisting the family.’

Richards Bay SAPS spokesperson Debbie Ferreira urges the public to only swim when lifeguards are on duty in designated swimming areas.

‘If there is no lifeguard on duty, don’t swim,’ said Ferreira.

‘Only swim between the two red flags at the beach and never swim when intoxicated,’ Ferreira said.