Paramedics from KZN Emergency Medical Services have responded to a tragic accident on the D532 in the Mooi River area of the Midlands.
The accident involved a single vehicle (a bakkie) which, according to bystanders, left the road and crashed into a farm dam earlier this morning. Paramedics from KZN EMS responded to the scene to find 25 wet and cold schoolchildren who had managed to get themselves out of the icy water.
The children had fortunately only sustained minor injuries, and hypothermia was a greater concern. The children were transported to Greytown Hospital for further care.
Rescuers and divers from police search & rescue, who are also on scene, have sadly recovered the bodies of four children from the dam and are continuing the search. The vehicle, which is completely submerged in the water, also still needs to be located.
Update:
The search for a fifth child is continuing at the farm dam, where a bakkie crashed earlier this morning.
KZN EMS paramedics are still standing by at the scene, where police search & rescue personnel are combing the dam.
Farm machinery has been used to breach the dam wall and drain the water out of the dam, and a police sniffer dog has now also been brought in to help search the water.
The canopy, which separated from the bakkie, has been located and rescue efforts are currently being focused in this area.
Body search UPDATE