Siblings die trying to cross water-filled ditch: Limpopo police to investigate
According to the information received, the eight-year-old girl fell off the bridge and plunged into the water-filled ditch below, and her brother (10) jumped in after in an attempt to save her.
LIMPOPO – he police in Thohoyandou have opened an inquest, after an eight-year-old girl and her brother (10) fell off a make-shift bridge into ditch filled with water at Muledane township in Thohoyandou.
The incident happened on Saturday, 12 October at around 16:00, when four siblings walked over a make-shift wooden bridge to cross the ditch, said Police Spokesperson, Brig Motlafela Mojapelo.
According to the information received, the eight-year-old girl fell off the bridge and plunged into the water-filled ditch below, and her brother (10) jumped in after in an attempt to save her. Both died on the scene, and the other two siblings ran home to request help.
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The deceased were identified as Adivhaho (8) and Ntakadzeni Mathikhi (10).
Mojapelo added that it is not clear at this stage if the deceased drowned or died as a result of the falling. “This will be determined by unfolding police investigations,” he said.
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The ditch was apparently filled with water after the recent rains, and the wooden make-shift bridge was made for pedestrians as the streets in the area are being tarred.
