Rescue teams are continuing an extensive search for a 24-year-old man who went missing while swimming at Glen Eden Beach in East London on Christmas Day.
According to NSRI East London station commander Cathrine Prentis, the NSRI duty crew was activated at 11:47 on Thursday, 25 December, following reports of a drowning in progress.
RIP | Teenager missing in rip currents at Fish Hoek beach – NSRI
Rescue craft dispatched
An NSRI rescue vehicle towing a rescue craft was dispatched and launched at Glen Eden.
Multiple emergency services were mobilised, including Eastern Cape Government Health EMS, the EMS/AMS Skymed rescue helicopter, and a private fixed-wing aircraft.
On arrival, rescue teams began searching for the missing man, a local resident who had been swimming with a male family member.
The family member managed to reach the shore safely.
It is believed the two may have been caught in rip currents.
The search operation was later reinforced by Police K9 Search and Rescue units.
No sign of the missing man
Despite an extensive air, sea and shoreline search, which covered areas beyond the back breakers and extended as far as Gonubie, no sign of the missing man has been found.
Search efforts are continuing, led by SAPS Water Policing and Diving Services (WPDS), along with Police K9 Search and Rescue and a Police Mounted Unit.
Prentis said the NSRI’s thoughts are with the family during what she described as an extremely difficult time.
Authorities have once again urged beachgoers to exercise caution, swim only in designated areas, and be aware of the dangers posed by rip currents, especially during the festive season.
