Bodies were recovered in two separate incidents after heavy rains caused flooding in Ladysmith, KZN, and Middelburg, Mpumalanga.

A vehicle was washed away along the N11 between Ladysmith and the Bergville off-ramp last night. Northern Natal News reports that, according to the driver, he and a passenger were driving in heavy rain when an oncoming vehicle seemed about to hit them. He veered to the left, plunging off the road and into the bush next to what is normally a small creek but had turned into a massive river of stormwater.

The car was sucked into the torrent and pushed along in darkness. The driver recalled undoing his seat belt while the vehicle was submerged and managing to surface. He was washed to an embankment, where he scrambled to safety and hailed a passing motorist, who contacted emergency services.

A search-and-rescue operation for the passenger was launched and continued until the early hours of this morning before being called off. K9 Search & Rescue divers Captain Chris Maree and Warrant Officer Jacques Meyer returned later this morning and located the body of the passenger still trapped in the vehicle. A local farmer used a tractor to rotate the submerged vehicle, allowing the divers to retrieve the body.

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Meanwhile, in Middelburg, there were emotional scenes as the family of a man who drowned three days ago gathered at the scene at around 11:00. His body was retrieved from the Klein Olifants River by SAPS divers at Protea and Walter Sisulu streets, near the municipal infrastructure building.

Middelburg Observer reports a search party had been launched after reports were filed about a person drowning on Friday evening. According to information, the man drowned after allegedly attempting to cross the Koppie Street low-lying bridge, which was flooded with strong currents.

Earlier that day, the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality had opened the sluice gate at Middelburg Dam after an intake of more than 700mm was reported. Due to the flooding, low-lying bridges were also barricaded.

Paramedics and police officers were present at both scenes, and investigations continue into the incidents.

Watch the video:

@middelburgobserver

The body of the man who drowned on Friday evening was retrieved from the Klein Olifants River by SAPS divers on Protea Street in Middelburg. This comes after a search party was launched after reports were filed of a person who drowned on Friday evening.

♬ original sound – MiddelburgObserver

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