| 2024/04/09 | |||
|
Media Statement BLOEMFONTEIN – The SAPS Free State Diving Unit is up to the task and ready for rescue and retrievals throughout the province as the Province is experiencing heavy torrential rains. With the heavy rains that the Free State Province experienced, drownings are a possibility. The South African Police Service Diving Unit members and K9 Search and Rescue Unit are on 24/7 standby duty for calls to save a life. Since heavy rains started in the areas surrounding Kroonstad, the team was called to an unfortunate incident after a drowning incident was reported. The team had to search for a male person who drowned after he attempted to drive through a body of water. The team was called and the body of a 50-year-old male was retrieved from the water. Another call was from Bloemfontein, where about four motorists were left stranded under a bridge after their vehicles got stuck fully submerged under water but with no injuries. As the police in the Free State, we are pleading with motorists and community members in general to avoid using flooding bridges when it rains. Be careful when you walk or drive over lower-lying bridges, as well as places known to have large bodies of water, as water can rise without warning. Fast-moving water may result in injury or drowning. Parents are urged to talk to their children and educate them about water safety to prevent injuries or accidents that can occur and may even lead to drowning. If you are in a flash flood-prone area, move to higher ground. Do not travel when there is a warning of flooding or severe weather. Let’s be responsible citizens and adhere to the warnings. Ends
Enquiries:
|
|||
|
|
|||
| Additional content: | |||
|
|
