DEMS recover two bodies after drowning when pursuing suspect
“Once the bodies were recovered, the families were called to identify the bodies of the men, aged between 20 and 50."
The City of Ekurhuleni DEMS recovered the bodies of two men who drowned when they jumped into the Katlehong spruit in pursuit of a suspected criminal.
ALSO READ: DEMS warns residents after heavy rains were seen in Ekurhuleni
The men drowned on February 11, and their bodies were found on Valentine’s Day, almost 2km upstream from where they had entered the spruit.
The media liaison officer for DEMS, William Ntladi, said the men were chasing a criminal who had committed a crime in Zonkizizwe, Katlehong.
“The person they were chasing jumped into the river and swam across. The two men did not manage to swim across safely,” said Ntladi.
“Emergency rescue teams and the SAPS Wing and K9 teams conducted the searches. Our search became difficult because the rain continued to pour down.
“Once the bodies were recovered, the families were called to identify the bodies of the men, aged between 20 and 50,” said Ntladi.
Ntladi warned residents in low-lying areas about the chance of floods in the coming weeks.
ALSO READ: DEMS on high alert during thunderstorms in the city
“Settlements in low-lying areas across the City are of great concern because the ground is saturated,” said Ntladi.
“Pedestrians are urged to be cautious when crossing flooded low-lying bridges. Once the water reaches your ankles, you are at risk of being swept away by it,” said Ntladi.
“Residents must stop using the pipeline systems as a bridge. Motorists must be careful when driving because potholes are not visible on the road. Motorists must also keep a safe following distance.”
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