Teenager drowns in river while trying to cool down
People are urged to be careful when going swimming in dams and rivers, after a boy drowned near KaMhlushwa on November 30.
KAMHLUSHWA – A 13-year-old boy drowned in the river at Phosaville last Friday afternoon while playing there with a friend.
According to Const Zithulele Mhlongo of the local police station, community members reported the incident around 12:45 and different stakeholders including the SAPS Diving Unit responded.
The diving unit had to search the river to recover the boy’s body.
KaMhlushwa station commander, Capt Mzwandile Nyambi expressed his condolences to the family and urged parents to keep their children away from rivers, streams or dams if they cannot swim.
READ: Water Wednesday: Children drowning remains a big problem in SA
Due to the low water levels, fisherman and swimmers are urged to be careful of crocodiles and hippos taking refuge in dams and streams. These animals can cause severe injuries or even fatalities if they see you as prey or if they feel threatened.
Drownings have been known to occur during summer heatwaves, as community members take a dip in the water to cool off despite many not being able to swim.
In September 2015 two siblings drowned in a farm dam in Mangweni, after deciding to go swim and struggled to get out again. READ: Farm dam claims two siblings
In August 2016 a fisherman drowned in Komatipoort after falling off the tyre inner tube he had been sitting on. READ: Man drowns during fishing outing
Three teenagers died in February 2017, when they went swimming in a dam in Dludluma with a group of friends. Something went wrong, and despite the community’s efforts to rescue them, the girls drowned. READ: Three teenagers drown during afternoon swim
Community members are urged to follow the following water safety tips:
• Never let children go near water of swimming without adult supervision.
• Always go swimming in a group and ensure there is a strong swimmer to keep an eye on the weaker ones.
• Ensure you’ll be able to get out of the water safely and keep to the shallows.
• Swim with a flotation device if you don’t feel confident and ensure that the device will not trap you under water in case of an emergency.
• If someone does get into trouble in the water, don’t rush in as a group. Have the strongest swimmer go out, with a flotation device if possible. Try to calm the victim, turn them on their back and drag them out of the water with your arms around their shoulders and their face out of the water.
• Ensure that you have emergency numbers for paramedics, the police or someone with medical or first-aid training on your phone.
