Boy drowns, missing US student found

Siyavuya Mzantsi

POLICE are still attempting to locate the family of an 11-year-old boy who drowned while swimming with his friends at Mnandi Beach, along the False Bay coast.

The boy, believed to be from Philippi, was swept out to sea by rip currents on Sunday.

Police spokesperson Noloyiso Rwexana said the boy had not been identified. Police have opened an inquest docket.

NSRI Strandfontein station commander Heinrich van der Rhede said the team was activated following witness reports of a drowning at 2.07pm.

“NSRI Strandfontein dispatched a sea rescue vehicle carrying swimmers, and launched a sea rescue craft. NSRI Simon’s Town – on the water at the time while conducting routine training – diverted its sea rescue craft to assist,” he said.

Meanwhile, the body of Nicholas Upton, a US student, was found on Friday, five days after he had gone missing in the surf at Coffee Bay.

The 19-year-old UCT undergraduate was one of 11 students who were on holiday in the Eastern Cape.

The province’s police spokesperson, Khaya Tonjeni, said Upton’s body was found about 5km from where he had been swimming by a private aviator hired by his parents.

US Embassy spokesperson Cynthia Harvey said: “The US Consulate continues to work closely with the family and South African authorities to ensure that the body is transported back to the US. The Upton family have returned to the US.”

siyavuya.mzantsi@inl.co.za