A major recovery operation was launched near Mbombela early this morning after a vehicle carrying a man and a woman plunged into the water.

The incident occurred at around 04:00 near the University of Mpumalanga and KaMagugu intersection, prompting a swift response from emergency services, reports Lowvelder.

According to Mpumalanga police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane, emergency services managed to retrieve both the vehicle and its two occupants from the water.

Ndubane confirmed that the male victim has been identified, although his name is being withheld pending notification of his next of kin. The identity of the female victim has not yet been confirmed.

The cause of the incident is currently under investigation, and further details are expected to be released as the inquiry continues.

Part of today’s recovery team was Captain Johan ‘Pottie’ Potgieter, who recently made international headlines when he attempted a daring operation to secure a euthanised crocodile suspected of containing the remains of a missing person.

During that operation, Potgieter was hoisted from a SANParks helicopter into a crocodile-infested river to secure a rope around the target reptile. He was later saluted for his bravery.

Potgieter spoke to journalists in Siswati from the scene where to bodies were recovered earlier today.

Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel.

Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.