The search for missing teenager Amaan Khan, 13, who was presumed drowned after he and his family were caught in a rip current at Umzumbe Beach in Hibberdene, is continuing today.
Amaan, from Kharwastan in Chatsworth, was separated from his family when he was pulled into the sea by the rip current on Saturday.
His uncle, Asif Khan, 36, a metro police officer, died a hero when he tried to save Amaan from being swept to sea. His other uncle, Ridwaan Khan, 40, is recovering from a near drowning experience as he too was caught in the rip current.
Amaan’s father, Saleem Adam, said he was grateful for the support of the public, who volunteered to try to locate Amaan’s body.
“Yesterday, we had the help of Reaction Unit South Africa. The kind owner of the company, Prem Balram, used his helicopter to conduct an aerial search for my son, but the search was unsuccessful.
“I have also had the help of a kind woman named Dawn, who has been using her drone to conduct searches. Today is day four, and Dawn is still searching with her drone. I know that during the third to fifth day of a drowning, where someone is missing, the body usually surfaces.
“But weather conditions and currents are not playing the part. I don't want people to risk their lives in searching for my son, but I appeal to divers to assist in the search. According to information I received from the people with drones, there are certain spots that my son could be stuck in.
"We suspect that he might be in between a rock, or his hand could be caught in between rocks. We need professional divers to check out the areas where there are rocks. I appeal to professional divers to assist in the search,” he said.
To assist Saleem in the search for his son’s body, contact him on 082 979 6639.