Tragic death for New Germany young siblings, dad in ICU
Two boys, aged five and 10, passed away shortly after they were admitted in hospital. The Highway Mail conveys its heartfelt condolences to the Phiri family.
TWO siblings, aged five and 10, died this morning after being trapped in rubble for more than three hours.
President of the Upper Lyndhurst/Berkshire Downs, Marks Mthonti said they received a message in the watch group from a resident who said she heard people screaming and crying not far from her house.
“One of the patrollers who was nearby went to check and found bricks which washed away all over the road and then alerted more patrollers about this horrifying situation.”
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According to Mthonti, a landslide hit the retaining wall at the Phiri residence and the wall smashed into the back of the house.
“The two boys were sleeping next to their dad when the incident happened. The dad and his sons were then entrapped in the house rubble and sand”
Mthonti said the family tried calling the disaster management but there was no response.
“The dad was taken out in about 30 minutes but I had to call the head of the disaster management who sent out a truck which was also responding to another areas after receiving so many complaints about the flooding.
“The children were trapped for more than three hours and I can say, that to a certain extent, if the response was quicker maybe the children would have not died,” he said.
The dad is in a critical condition in hospital.
Mthonti said the residents are trying to assist the family where they can. The Phiri house is situated in 17 Datchat Place, New Germany.
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