WATCH: Tour operator who clung overnight to game-viewing vehicle in raging Komati River rescued
After 15 hours the tour guide was rescued from the Komati River.
A tour guide, Michael Turner (56), was on his way from Mozambique to collect guests in Komatipoort on Thursday December 28 when he was thrown into an ordeal in which he literally had to hang on for dear life.
He is a British citizen operating from the neighbouring country.
Also read: Man clinging to his bakkie after being swept into Komati River
At around 20:00 the strong current of the Komati River swept his game-viewing vehicle away when he was crossing a low-level bridge.
The game-viewer became lodged on the verge of the bridge, with the two right wheels on the bridge and two left wheels in the river. Four search-and-rescue volunteers from SARZA arrived at 22:00.
On their arrival, the situation was assessed by the four volunteers.
The current was too strong for them to enter the river. It was also not possible for the volunteers to use a rope to rescue Turner from the raging torrent.
They determined that the vehicle was secure in the river and Turner would be safe if he remained in it. Turner sat in the rear of the vehicle through the night.
Watch: The SANDF rescuing Michael Turner from the game-viewer. >Video: Supplied/ Captain Pottie Potgieter.
@lowvelder A tour guide, Michael Turner (56), was on his way from Mozambique to collect guests in Komatipoort on December 28 when he was thrown into an ordeal in which he literally had to hang on for dear life. He is a British citizen operating from the neighbouring country. At around 20:00 the strong current of the Komati River swept his game-viewing vehicle away when he was crossing a low-level bridge. The game-viewer became lodged on the verge of the bridge, with the two right wheels on the bridge and two left wheels in the river. Four search-and-rescue volunteers from SARZA arrived at 22:00. On their arrival, the situation was assessed by the four volunteers. The current was too strong for them to enter the river. It was also not possible for the volunteers to use a rope to rescue Turner from the raging torrent. They determined that the vehicle was secure in the river and Turner would be safe if he remained in it. Turner sat in the rear of the vehicle through the night. The four volunteers sat across the river from Turner throughout the night and frequently accessed the situation. When daylight broke on Friday December 29. the situation was reassessed. Previously, victims in similar situations were rescued using police jet skis. Unfortunately, due to the strong current, this solution was ruled out. At 11:00 Turner was rescued by the SANDF using a RX helicopter. Turner was treated on the scene by Securicon. He was severely dehydrated, hungry and in shock. He did not suffer any other injuries. The successful rescue of Turner was due to the hard work and dedication of SARZA Nelspruit, SAPS divers and the SANDF. #komati #komatipoort #komatiriver #riverrescue #britishcitizen #rescuesouthafrica #helicopter #helicopterrescue #lowveld #caxton #caxtonnewspapers
The four volunteers sat across the river from Turner throughout the night and frequently accessed the situation.
When daylight broke on Friday December 29. the situation was reassessed.
Previously, victims in similar situations were rescued using police jet skis. Unfortunately, due to the strong current, this solution was ruled out.
Also read: Drive with caution on the Lowveld’s wet roads
At 11:00 Turner was rescued by the SANDF using a RX helicopter.
Also read: KNP roads update
Turner was treated on the scene by Securicon. He was severely dehydrated, hungry and in shock. He did not suffer any other injuries.
The successful rescue of Turner was due to the hard work and dedication of SARZA Nelspruit, SAPS divers and the SANDF.
Also read: Another storm wreaks havoc across Mbombela
