Africa-Press – South-Africa. The body of a 16-year-old boy who drowned during a school trip was found on rocks at First Rocks on the shoreline north of St Lucia in KwaZulu-Natal on Friday.
The teenager went missing in the surf at Jabula beach, St Lucia, on Thursday.
Teachers and carers raised the alarm.
According to National Sea Rescue Institute’s (NSRI) St Lucia station commander Jan Hoffman, the boy is believed to have been caught in rip currents before disappearing under the surface while wading in the water during a local school outing.
Rescue teams immediately jumped into action.
“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,” said Hoffman.
He said they also alerted police and its search and rescue unit.
Despite the extensive search, no sign of the teenager was found.
On Friday, iSimangaliso Wetland Park rangers found the body of the teenager during their search.
The 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,” Hoffman said.
Police have opened an inquest docket.
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