TAXI CITY – More details have emerged after a teenage boy drowned in the Ncandu River, earlier this week.
Information has since been provided by Newcastle SAPS and witnesses at Newcastle Taxi Rank.
Related article: [BREAKING NEWS] Teenager drowns in Ncandu River
According to Newcastle SAPS Corporate Communications, Lizzy Aramugam, it was alleged the teen had stolen a carpet from a house in Lincoln Street, Paradise, and was chased by the home owner on the afternoon of August 24.
“A Security Officer from a business nearby the rank saw the commotion tried to assist the victim with catching the teen. The 17-year-old ran towards Ncandu River and allegedly fell into the water,” she said.
The teenager, who has now been confirmed to be 17 years old, was seen by witnesses running into the river shortly before he drowned.
“We saw he could not swim. He struggled to get out of the river, and then he disappeared under the water,” said a witness, who wished to remain anonymous.
SAPS divers were summoned to recover the teenager, and paramedics attempted to revive him. Unfortunately, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The teenager was allegedly linked to a number of cases, including residential and business burglaries.
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An inquest docket has since been opened, and police are conducting a thorough investigation to determine what happened prior to the drowning.
