Missing teen feared drowned
2006-03-23 09:03
Johannesburg - A 17-year-old high school pupil was feared drowned after he went missing at sea in Port Alfred on Wednesday, the National Sea Rescue Institute said.
"We were notified of a drowning in the area. On arrival we searched for the teenager whom we suspect was caught in rip currents and washed out to sea," spokesperson Craig Lambinon said.
An intensive search was launched at 17:17 but the boy wasn't found.
"At first light shore patrols will continue to be conducted by the NSRI, Ndlambe Environmental Conservation and SA Police Services," he said.
Lambinon said the boy was among a group of pupils from Colesburg High School in Grahamstown to attend a science festival.
He went missing while swimming with the others at West Beach.
Trauma counselling had been arranged for the pupils and their teachers.
- SAPA