The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) recovered the body of a 2-year-old boy who had been missing since Thursday from a subsidiary river that feeds into the Hartbeespoort Dam on Saturday, December 21.
According to Hartbeespoort Dam NSRI station commander Arthur Crewe, the NSRI was activated by the South African Police Services at 04:00 on Friday to assist in the search for the missing child.
“The toddler was reported missing on Thursday, December 19, in the vicinity of Elandsfontein, Tshwane, near the N4 Magalies Freeway,” Crewe said.
“The family reportedly had last seen the child playing in the field in the vicinity of the nearby river area, but [after the child failed] to return home, the alarm was raised.”
Crewe states that NSRI Hartbeespoort Dam swift water rescue swimmers and SRU (Strategic Rescue Unit), the SA Police Services, Police WPDS (Water Policing and Diving Services), Police K9 Search and Rescue, Tshwane Water Rescue, and Tshwane Emergency Services, all joined forces, conducting an extensive ongoing search operation.
He added that a police helicopter also joined the search efforts, scouring the river and surrounding areas.
“During the extensive search operation, the body of the child was located and recovered on Friday from the river by police divers.
“The body of the child has been taken into the care of police and government health forensic pathology services.”
Police have opened an inquest docket.
“Condolences are conveyed to the family of the deceased child. All services involved in the search embrace the family of the deceased child with care, compassion, and thoughts in this difficult time.”
*Please note this article has been amended
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