Search for pupil lost at sea continues
The search for the body of the 17-year-old pupil who was pulled into the surf at Margate Beach on Saturday, continued on Monday.
|||Durban - The search for the body of the 17-year-old pupil who was pulled into the surf at Margate Beach on Saturday, continued on Monday.
Two of the boy’s schoolmates drowned. Six more pupils of Sibongumusa High School in Wartburg, were rescued by Witbank holidaymakers, Adriaan and Annamarie Muller.
According to Craig Lambinon, spokesman for the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), the couple were driving near Margate’s main beach when they noticed a group of children being swept out to sea towards rocks.
“Adriaan, assisted by other bystanders, was able to pull six children out of the water, on to rocks.
“Two men, believed to be off-duty Durban lifeguards, pulled two females out, and once on the beach CPR efforts commenced,” said Lambinon.
Med-Evac Ambulance service director, Glen Preston, said they had taken over CPR on the girls. However, their efforts proved futile.
Rescue swimmers from NSRI Shelly Beach were dispatched and a sea rescue craft was launched.
A SAPS search and rescue team, as well as the Hibiscus Coast Disaster Management also responded.
The search for the 17-year-old was called off after 9pm on Saturday and resumed on Sunday.
“The male was witnessed floating face down in the water, but despite extensive search efforts the teenager has not been found.
“He is presumed to have drowned,” said Lambinon.
NSRI, Med-Evac, police search and rescue, Margate lifeguards as well as a helicopter believed to belong to a local flying club, searched for hours for the boy’s body on Sunday.
Police continued the search on foot with a K9 dog.
Water conditions forced the boat search operation to be cancelled.
The trio had apparently been on a school trip with their principal and several teachers.
They got into the water after lifeguards had gone off duty and the beach closed.
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Education, Peggy Nkonyeni, sent her condolences to the families of the three pupils.
The department would investigate the circumstances.
Police spokeswoman, Lieutenant Nqobile Gwala, said an inquest docket had been opened.
Daily News
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