Two children, aged three and eight, drowned in the Treur River in Dientjie outside Graskop on Saturday, June 29 while their 10-year-old sibling was saved after the children landed in the water while they were on an outing with their parents.

“It is reported that the father parked their car next to the main road and walked along the river with his wife and three children. They walked about 500m from the main road,” said Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdhluli.

“The father had returned to the car to fetch water when the drowning occurred. His wife called for help and he rushed over. He managed to save their 10-year-old, but the younger two drowned before he could get to them,” Mdhluli said.

Emergency services were called to the scene and the two children were declared dead.

Acting Mpumalanga police commissioner Major General Dr Zeph Mkhwanazi has pleaded with the public, especially parents to be extra vigilant to prevent unfortunate events.