Search for a 26-year-old Chartwell man swept away by floods on New Year’s Day continues
It has been a week since emergency personnel began searching for a man who went missing after he was allegedly washed away by flash floods while crossing the Jukskei River.
A search operation is currently underway for a 26-year-old man who went missing on January 1 while attempting to cross the Jukskei River in Fourways.
According to National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Gauteng station commander Gerhard Potgieter the man was reportedly swept away by a flash flood while crossing a pipeline over the Jukskei River.
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Potgieter said on January 5, their duty crew were activated, following a request for assistance from the South African Police Services (SAPS) and Search and Rescue South Africa (SARZA), to search for the man, believed to be from Chartwell, who went missing, reportedly on the night of New Year’s Day.
He said emergency services, including the SAPS, SAPS Water Policing and Diving Services, SAPS K9 Search and Rescue, Johannesburg Fire and Rescue Services, and SARZA, launched an extensive search operation on January 2, covering over 20km of the Jukskei River and Klein Jukskei River.
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Despite their efforts, no sign of the missing man has been found.
“Our NSRI Gauteng Swift Water Rescue Team joined in the search on Sunday morning [January 5], with NSRI Gauteng Swift Water Rescuers divided into teams, joining Police, SARZA, and Fire and Rescue Services, in the extensive ongoing search efforts along the Jukskei River and along the Klein Jukskei River searching in the directions of Fourways, Chartwell, Broadacres, and Steyn City. A Police helicopter was also deployed to assist in the operation.
“The public is urged to exercise caution and avoid crossing low-lying bridges or roadways which have become submerged by water due to heavy rainfall in the area. Thoughts and prayers are with the family of the missing man during this difficult time. The search operation is ongoing, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.”
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