Tragedy at Paddadam: Vryheid in grief-stricken shock over three drowned children
Residents who saw the boys playing in the dam earlier today said they looked happy and carefree, and they can't believe what has happened.
The Vryheid community is in the grip of a shocking tragedy this evening following the drowning of three boys, believed to be between the ages of 7 and 11, at the Paddadam.
Witnesses confirmed that at least one of the boys was a pupil at New Republic School.
It is believed that the boys cycled to the Paddadam in the afternoon and began playing in the dam when they saw a man and his daughter enjoying the water. The man is said to have warned the boys that the dam is quite deep before he left the Paddadam.
A short while later, a young couple walking their dog discovered the body of one of the boys floating in the water. Realising that there were three bicycles, so there must have been three boys, a search ensued to find the other two boys.
Members of the Neighbourhood Watch and paramedics of KwaZulu Private Ambulance found both boys, already deceased, in the dam 15 minutes after the first boy was declared dead.
Residents who saw the boys playing in the dam earlier today said they looked happy and carefree, and they can’t believe what has happened.
The Vryheid Herald extends condolences to the grieving parents.
