Heroes emerge in flood aftermath
Paramedic Rudi Prinsloo, who has been working alongside rescue teams, said the extensive operation has been tense, to say the least.
Dozens of people are still displaced or missing more than a week after devastating floods struck KwaZulu-Natal.
The death toll has risen to 448, with six from the Ugu district. This was the latest figure confirmed by Premier Sihle Zikalala before going to print.
Members from the Port Shepstone K9 Search and Rescue Unit, Warrant Officer Gawie Nel, Warrant Officer Fafa Pretorius (head of the unit), Constable Romano Thompson and Sergeant Mark Banjo with canine Ferie have been travelling back and forth to flood-stricken areas in and around eThekwini (and other parts of the province) to help find missing people or recover victims.
The Durban team consists of police, military, pilots, paramedics, divers, volunteers and K9 dogs from around South Africa have been working round the clock, even delivering food and aid to those who have been left with nothing.
Paramedic Rudi Prinsloo, who has been working alongside rescue teams, said the extensive operation has been tense, to say the least.
“It has been emotionally and physically exhausting. The men and women working on this operation are a different breed who are highly professional and go above and beyond the call of duty. They go for days with little sleep to put the needs of others first,” he said.
Prinsloo said it has been extremely tough, and there were days the members continued searching for missing people and children in very wet, dangerous and brutal conditions.
He said they have been witness to many heartrending situations, with hundreds of residents experiencing trauma, grief and loss.
The situation is further compounded with city and towns facing severe infrastructure damage which has cut many people off from basic needs such as food, water, and health care.
“In one case, we managed to help a father find two of his three missing children. To me, this has been the most rewarding aspect of my career, giving closure to families who have lost loved ones.” He said ‘the stories are endless’.
Prinsloo added that they also treated a young boy who had been swept two kilometres down a river.
The boy, who was injured during the ordeal had managed to hang onto a tree and walked his way back up along the riverbank.
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