THREE RIVERS .– A birthday celebration took a tragic turn on Saturday, October 21 as a family outing on the Vaal River ended in heartbreak and disaster.

Mbonisi Mangena, 41, and ten of his family members set out for a day of joy and celebration on their personal XTA-Ski boat, an outing that would forever change their lives.

Mangena, a resident of Mondeor, was the birthday celebrant and the skipper of the ill-fated voyage.

The group was enjoying a family gathering on their private boat when a larger vessel passed by, creating massive waves that led to the XTA-Ski boat capsizing, leaving all ten family members stranded in the water.

Following the incident, four family members including a three-year-old child and a pregnant woman lost their lives.

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Witnesses to the incident swiftly sprang into action to rescue the stranded family members.

The rapid response and bravery of the eyewitnesses prevented further casualties and undoubtedly mitigated the scale of this tragedy.

Speaking to Sedibeng Ster, Sedibeng police spokesman Captain Fikile Funda said the six family members who managed to survive the harrowing experience, were immediately rushed to the hospital for medical treatment and support to cope with the trauma they endured.

“We are investigating a case of culpable homicide and investigations are underway,” he said.

Different medical teams rushed to the scene where they helped investigate the incident.

Organizations involved in the rescue operation included Netcare911, ER24 EMS (Pty) Ltd., Gauteng Emergency Medical Services, Sharp Med EMS, Emfuleni Fire Department, South African Police Service Water Wing, and SSG Security.