A 13-year-old girl from Mvelaphanda Primary School in Tembisa drowned after heavy downpours yesterday, while attempting to cross a strong-flowing stream. She was returning home after school.

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“Initial information on-scene states that four pupils from the same school attempted to cross the stream before the tragic incident happened. Apparently three others saw their friend, who was ahead of them, being swept away by the strong water current. She disappeared under water. Subsequently, they managed to reach safety and then called for help. Members of the public who witnessed the incident also tried in vain to save her life,” said William Ntladi, from the Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services.

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Emergency services were alerted and responded at about 4pm to the scene, which was in Winnie Mandela Zone 11. On arrival, a search along the stream was initiated by rescue teams from both Ekurhuleni Emergency Services and the SAPS K-9 Unit until around 7pm when the search was called off without success.
“Today at 8.30am, all the teams resumed the search. Her body was discovered an hour later. The body was partially submerged under the water along the stream. Members of her family positively identified her,” said Ntladi.