Meet some of Scriven’s silent heroes
These men and their loyal canines played a vital role in the search for Brenda Scriven.
AS helicopters circled from above, jet skis, paddlers and volunteers searched along the Umgeni River. This was the tense atmosphere at the second search site for missing Sunningdale resident, Brenda Scriven.
Among the chaos were the members of the SAPS Search and Rescue K-9 Unit, who braved the cold and murky water of the Umgeni and Umhlangane Rivers, canvassing over 30 kilometres of ground.
For the last six days authorities have been combing through the muck and devastation left by Monday’s torrential rains, searching for 62-year-old wife, mother and grandmother.
The men and their loyal canines who left no stone unturned, also swept through the stream along Old North Coast Road earlier in the week.
Some of these behind-the scene-heroes who planned and conducted the search routes include, W/O Koos van der Merwe, W/O Ryan Charlon, W/O Dave Steyn (head of the SAPS Search and Rescue K-9 Unit), W/O Carel Gouws with his canine, Chaz, Sgt Clinton Odayar and his canine, Donte, W/O Rommel da Rosa and his canine Bear as well as Sgt Matthews Phakathi and Lea.
W/O da Rosa and his canine, Bear (who was handed over to him by Lieutenant Jack Haskins of Pietermaritzburg) traveled from Port Shepstone to assist in the search, while Donte and Sgt Odayar are from Westbrook.
During the search operation one of the canines managed to cut open its paw.
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