Body of seven-year-old boy who was swept into raging river found

The body of a seven-year-old boy, swept off the Soweto bridge in Darnell into the flooded Nonoti river earlier on Tuesday, was recovered this afternoon (Wednesday, November 13).

Rescue workers battling debris and fast-flowing water recovered the body a kilometer downstream from the low level bridge that he was washed from.

Volunteers from the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), police divers from the KwaDukuza Search and Rescue Unit, Umhlali K9, IPSS Medical Rescue and KwaDukuza lifeguards were on scene yesterday afternoon searching for the missing child, however, according to IPSS spokesperson Paul Herbst, the search had to be called off at around 5.30pm due to extreme weather conditions and lightning.

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Rescue teams returned to the scene at first light today (Wednesday), searching along the riverbank and lower flowing water.

The body was recovered using an inflatable rescue boat and handed over to members of the KwaDukuza Police.

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According to reports the seven-year-old boy, who was a grade one pupil at Hulsig Primary School, was walking home from school with a group of friends when he was washed off the bridge.

Another three people have been reported missing in the Ilembe region and there is still no information on their whereabouts.

The South African Weather Service has warned that conditions remain treacherous at numerous rivers throughout the province.

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