Limpopo SAPS continue to search for drowning victims after boating accident
A search was launched after two adults and a child disappeared after a boating accident on Mokol Dam. The body of a child has since been recovered.
LIMPOPO – The search continues for the remaining victims of a boating accident on the Mokol Dam in the Bulgerivier policing area.
According to police reports the trio, a 57-year-old man, woman (55) and an 11-year-old boy were reported missing on Tuesday (December 28) after a boating incident on Mokol Dam outside Modimolle.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo explained that the matter was reported to the police and a search operation immediately commenced, without success.
“The search operation resumed on Wednesday and the boat was eventually located in the Mokol River at around 13:00. It is believed the boat was swept downstream and plunged into the Mokol River.”
The body of the 11-year-old victim was later found a few meters from the boat down the river bank, he added.
The search operation for the remaining victims will resume on Thursday.
In another incident, six men were rescued after they attempted to cross the Mogalakwena River in a Toyota Hilux at Gilead village outside Mokopane.
“When the vehicle started to sink, two of the men jumped out and swam to the while the others climbed on top of the vehicle roof. These four men were rescued when the vehicle were pulled from the water using a donkey cart,” Mojapelo said.
Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe also cautioned communities to be extra careful when playing near or crossing rivers to avoid drownings.
She issued this warning after an eight-year-old child drowned after he fell into the Phala River at Shongwane village, Leswaneng section on Monday (December 27).
The boy was reportedly swept away by the strong flowing water and his body was recovered 16km from the scene on Wednesday morning. Search and Rescue unit, Villa Nora K9 and Airwing were involved in the search.
“As the persistent rains continue tofall across the Province, rivers and dams are becoming full, posing possibility drownings. We therefore urge everyone to be extremely cautious during this rainy period and parents and guardians should always be vigilant about the whereabouts of their children,” she concluded.
