Three teenagers still missing at Hawston Beach

Mluleki Mrwebi
08 December 2013

The National Sea Rescue Institute and Hermanus volunteer sea rescue duty crew were activated on Saturday afternoon following reports of 5 people being swept out to sea at Hawston Beach.

Initially information was received that 1 person may be missing and that 2 people had made it out of the water but in light of the uncertain information a full sea rescue response was activated. 

NSRI Spokesperson Craig Lambinon said NSRI AND Hermanus volunteer sea rescue duty crew who had just launched the sea rescue craft SOUTH STAR on a routine exercise responded and the sea rescue craft LE JENMAR II was towed to the scene and launched while the SA Police Services, Law Enforcement, the Skymed rescue helicopter, WC Government Health EMS and an EMS rescue squad responded.

Lambinon said lifeguards that had been monitoring a function at the Hawston swimming pool had also run over to the beach to assist.

“On arrival on-scene it was determined that a 15 year old and 12 year old, brothers, from Philippi, had managed to get out of the water safely after being caught in a rip current but a 19 year old, a 15 year old and a 12 year old, all males, all from Philippi, were missing in the surf” said Lambinon.

He added that a Police Dive Unit has been activated and with Law Enforcement and local police arrangements will continue with the search operation for the 3 missing teenagers.