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By News24 Wire

Wire Service


Search resumes for six-year-old who was swept away in Tongaat

The search for a six-year-old child who was swept away by heavy flowing water in Tongaat, KwaZulu-Natal, resumed on Friday.


IPSS Medical Rescue spokesperson Paul Herbst said search and rescue efforts were suspended on Thursday due to poor visibility.

“Teams searched waterways using inflatable craft, assisted by police K9 Dante. Efforts were suspended owing to visibility and will resume tomorrow.”

The six-year-old was swept away by rapidly flowing water while trying to cross the Mazibuko River in the Gwaveni area.

Police divers from Durban Search and Rescue, along with the Umhlali K9 Unit and Metro Police, were on the scene to continue with the search.

According to the Stats SA Mortality and Cause of death report, drownings made up 4.1% (1,411 cases) of deaths due to external causes of accidental injury in 2016.

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