Cape Town – The body of a 16-year-old boy, who went missing off Jabula Beach near St Lucia in KwaZulu-Natal during a school outing on Thursday, was reportedly found by park rangers on Friday.
The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) said in a statement that they responded to reports of a drowning in progress, and on arrival on the scene, it was revealed that a 16-year male learner was missing in the surf.
The boy was believed to have been caught in rip currents before disappearing under the surface while wading in the water.
Teachers and carers raised the alarm.
“NSRI crew and park rangers conducted shoreline search efforts, including spotters positioned high up on elevated dunes, while the sea rescue craft conducted a sea search. Police and police search and rescue were alerted, but despite an extensive search no sign of the teenager was found,” the NSRI said.
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On Friday, however, iSimangaliso Wetland Park rangers located the body of the teenager on rocks on the shoreline North of St Lucia, at First Rocks.
NSRI St Lucia, Government Health Forensic Pathology Services and Police were notified about the discovery.
“NSRI rescue swimmers recovered the body from rocks on the shoreline.
“The body of the teenager was taken into the care of Government Health Forensic Pathology Services,” said NSR.
Police have since opened an inquest docket.
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Source: AFP
Picture: Unsplash
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