Two men have been confirmed dead and a third remains missing after a Toyota Hilux carrying five Zimbabwean nationals was swept off a flooded low-water bridge in Addo during the early hours of Saturday morning.
Police spokesperson Captain Marius McCarthy said an inquest docket has been opened following the tragedy on Slagboom Road, where the vehicle was washed into the Coerney River while attempting to cross the flooded bridge.
According to police, the incident occurred at approximately 03:30 on Saturday when the white Toyota Hilux attempted to navigate the low-water crossing amid dangerous river conditions.
“It is alleged that five Zimbabwean nationals, travelling in a white Toyota Hilux bakkie, attempted to cross the Coerney River via a low-water bridge along Slagboom Road in Addo. The bakkie was swept off the bridge and fell into the river,” McCarthy said.
Police said three men, aged between 34 and 50, were travelling in the front of the vehicle, while two others, aged between 30 and 35, were seated in the rear load bed.
The two occupants travelling on the back of the bakkie managed to escape as the vehicle was carried away by the floodwaters.
“Upon entering the river, the three front occupants became trapped and subsequently went missing in the water. The two occupants on the rear load bed reportedly managed to jump from the vehicle and safely exit the water,” McCarthy said.
A large-scale search and rescue operation involving the SAPS Search and Rescue Unit, the Sundays River Valley Local Municipality and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) was launched shortly after the incident was reported.
The search effort led to the recovery of two bodies from the river.
“Two of the missing Zimbabwean nationals were recovered from the river and declared dead on the scene by EMS. The search for the missing alleged driver (aged 35) of the Toyota Hilux bakkie continues,” McCarthy confirmed.
Authorities have not yet released the identities of the deceased pending the notification of their next of kin.
The investigation into the incident is ongoing as rescue teams continue searching for the missing driver.
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Wendy Dondolo
iol.co.za