GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - According to the NSRI, a Mossel Bay teenager drowned in the Wilderness area on Saturday (13 October) .

Colin Prins (17) was a member of the Mossel Bay Yacht and Boat Club (MBYBC).

Mike Vonk, NSRI Wilderness duty controller, said in a press release that his duty crew, as well as members of the SA Police, WC Government Health EMS and Eden 911 ambulance services responded to Island Lake at 12:55 following reports of a missing male teenager.

"On arrival on the scene we found a bystander administering Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)," said Vonk. 

"NSRI medics and paramedics, assisted by George Lakes Yacht Club (GLYC) members and bystanders, continued with CPR but sadly, after extensive efforts to resuscitate the teenager were exhausted, he was declared deceased."

Colin had been at Island Lake to take part in a yacht regatta. The regatta was postponed due to strong winds and he was among a number of regatta participants who had gone for a swim in the lake while waiting to see if the regatta would resume later in the day. He appeared to get into difficulty and disappeared under the water.

Vonk said eye-witnesses raised the alarm and two GLYC safety boats were immediately deployed. Swimmers also joined the search.

According to reports, a swimmer -  believed to be a former Navy diver - located and recovered the teenager from the water. 

Prins was then rushed to shore aboard one of the GLYC safety boats where CPR commenced.

The MBYBC, NSRI, GLYC and the SA Police Services are supporting the family.

"Condolences are conveyed to family, friends and the MBYBC team mates of Colin Prins," Vonk added.

According to the NSRI press release, the police have opened an inquest docket and the body of the deceased has been taken into the care of the Forensic Pathology Services.

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