The 22-year-old Julian Otto, who was last seen in East Lynne in Pretoria, on Monday, has been found in a stormwater drain and taken to a local hospital in a very dehydrated state.

According to Johan Botha, the founder of the Sinoville Firefighting Association, a community member walking with their dog was alerted to the narrow stormwater drain.

“The community member informed us of this, and we quickly responded to the scene.”

Botha says pieces of the stormwater drain cover had to be lifted with machinery to get Otto out.

“He would not have been able to get into the narrow stormwater drain, so I suspect he entered from another entrance.

“I am relieved that he has been found. Paramedics stabilised him on the scene before he was transported to the hospital.”

Otto’s mother, Estelle, confirmed that he was found yesterday afternoon.

• He was last seen on Monday afternoon. According to his emails, he ordered an Uber at 15:00 from Bosloerie Street, and 20 minutes later, he cancelled it. After that, his phone was turned off.
• His mother previously told the newspaper that her son is on chronic epilepsy medication.