Local newsNews

Flash floods aftermath: search and rescue operation continues

Large numbers of motorists had parked their cars on the highway to spectate the rescue efforts

November 11, 2016
1 minute read
ONE of the various cars which were found abandoned today after the flooding. Photograph: Emer-G-Med

VARIOUS emergency services were back on the scene at N3 Linksfield to conduct a search and rescue operation on Thursday.

Following the deadly floods on Wednesday where six people died and a three-year-old child went missing, the SAPS airwing, City of Joburg’s specialist Swift Water Rescue team and Emer-G-Med paramedics were combing through the area in search of any further victims.

“Multiple cars had been found further down the embankment and in the river below, some washed quite far downstream,” Emer-G-Med’s Max Cohen said in a statement.

At this stage it’s believed that the drivers left their cars there after the flash floods broke out.

CARS were found further down the embankment and in the river below during the N3 Linksfield search operation. Photograph: Emer-G-Med
CARS were found further down the embankment and in the river below during the N3 Linksfield search operation. Photograph: Emer-G-Med

Large numbers of motorists parked their cars on the highway to spectate the rescue efforts.

Various areas in Ekurhuleni and Joburg were hit with severe flash floods, which caused major damage and traffic congestion on the roads.

Social media went crazy with many people posting videos and photos taken from around the two cities, where people were left stranded and cars being swept away in the floods.

One video showed a woman’s car being swept away in the floods.

Another touching video posted by @Tendaijoe on Twitter shows people forming a line and helping each other get out of the flooding and on to safe ground.

Other photos depicting men forming a human chain to help others across the floods were also shared.

 

At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
You can read the full story on our App. Download it here.
November 11, 2016
1 minute read

Nolwazi Dhlamini

Senior Journalist at Caxton Community Newspapers (2014 – 2017) and Features Writer at Caxton Magazines (2017 – 2020)
Back to top button