Eight-year-old drowns while crossing Mandeni River
Update: The man who had also attempted the crossing and was washed downstream was found alive after he pulled himself from the water.
An eight-year-old girl tragically lost her life after attempting to cross a flooding Mandeni River early this morning.
Her body was recovered by search and rescue teams this afternoon, about a kilometre downstream from the crossing point.
Rescuers are still searching for a 37-year-old man who attempted to make the crossing with the child.
Photo: IPSS Medical Rescue.
“Information received so far indicates that three people were attempting to cross the river near Mandeni when two of the three were swept away,” said IPSS Medical Rescue spokesperson, Kelsey-Jae Meyrick.
The river is a tributary of the Tugela River, which has seen high water levels and flood conditions after heavy storms in Ladysmith.
A four man team from IPSS Search and Rescue joined search and rescue teams from Umhlali Saps K9 unit, Sundumbili Saps and Empangeni Saps.
Photo: IPSS Medical Rescue.
The rescuers have been searching since mid-morning and will continue to look for the missing man as long as conditions permit.
“The Tugela River and tributaries are currently full and fast-flowing which makes search efforts difficult,” said Meyrick.
“We urge people to avoid crossing low-laying bridges during this time.”
UPDATE:
Shortly after the search was called off for the day on Tuesday, police discovered that the missing adult male had survived the ordeal. Paramedics said he had escaped the river further downstream and had made his way back home.
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