On the evening of July 2, emergency services, along with divers from the Ekurhuleni Water Policing and Diving Services, were deployed to a canal next to DM Marokane Drive, Thembisa, after a VW Golf crashed into it.
Emergency services were called to the scene to assist in rescuing the driver and recovering the vehicle.
Spokesperson for the Gauteng SAPS Water Wing, Warrant Officer Grant Giblin said on arrival the water rescue officers were shown by Thembisa SAPS where a white Volkswagen hatchback lay upside down in the deep canal.
ALSO READ: Water police recover body of woman
“The vehicle was filled with polluted water. Only the back wheels were visible, and it seemed the vehicle had gone off the road, crashed through the barriers and ended in the canal,” said Giblin.
According to Disaster and Emergency Services (DEMS) spokesperson William Ntladi, the severely polluted water posed a danger to rescue workers and the victim.
“The sewerage flowing into the river made the water muddy,” he said.
Ntladi said rescue teams were on the scene from 23:00.
ALSO READ: SAPS divers recover body of a man in Ivory Park
“We worked with the SAPS, fire emergency rescue teams and the provincial ambulances and fought for the recovery of the patient. This proved challenging because the vehicle had landed on its roof following the crash.”
After a gruelling four hours, the body of a 38-year-old man was recovered from the vehicle.
“When we assessed the car we found that the patient was alone in the vehicle,” said Ntladi.
“The collaboration of stakeholders in the area played a prominent role as we all worked collectively to complete the job.
“We were faced with a stream deeper than 10m, filled with sewage and splurge,” he added.
Giblin said that firefighters from the Thembisa Fire Department managed to drag the vehicle onto its side against the canal wall.
ALSO READ: Ekurhuleni police recover body of a drown victim
“Members were then able to climb onto the vehicle still partially submerged and enter it to remove the lifeless body of the male victim inside,” said Giblin.
The man was declared dead by emergency services. The body was handed to detectives on the scene for an inquest investigation.
Anyone who witnessed the accident or with further information may contact the relevant SAPS station or Crime Stop at 08600 10111.
