Transnet workers narrowly escape water grave in Amersfoort
Police advise motorists not to take risks crossing flooded bridges.
Workers contracted to Transnet narrowly escaped death when their truck was swept away while trying to cross the bridge at Schuilspruit Dam in Amersfoort on Thursday morning, February 16.
According to information, the five workers, a woman and four men of which two were inside the truck and three on the truck’s rooftop, were rescued by the police and other stakeholders including Emergency Medical Services, the Fire Department, Delta 1 Rescue Diving, ER24 and other local based community structures.
Immediately after the five were rescued, police and other stakeholders rendered assistance to a motorists from Rustenburg who also got stuck with his bakkie at about 12:45 that same day.
Brigadier Selvy Mohlala, Mpumalanga police spokesman, reminded the public that flowing water applies pressure on contact points, the higher the speed, the more the pressure.
“Motorists just drive in without walking the terrain to determine the pressure.”
Mohlala warned motorists and pedestrians that the best way to determine water pressure is not to take a risk at all and to stay away.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has expressed her disappointment that after numerous warnings issued, people still gamble with their lives.
“Important appointments can always be rescheduled rather than honouring them at the expense of your one precious life,” said the General.
