borehole

A 15-month-old was rescued after falling down a borehole. Image: Platinum Weekly Newspaper

WATCH: Toddler rescued after falling into a borehole

A 15-month-old toddler was rescued four hours after he fell into an uncovered borehole in the Tshwara section of Phokeng

borehole

A 15-month-old was rescued after falling down a borehole. Image: Platinum Weekly Newspaper

Emergency responders and rescue services faced the difficult task of rescuing a 15-month-old toddler who had fallen into a 21-metre deep, uncovered borehole in the Tshwara section of Phokeng on Thursday, 16 March, Platinum Weekly Newspaper reports.

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Uncle seeks help after toddler falls into borehole

The toddler’s uncle immediately sought help from Royal Bafokeng Emergency Services (EMRS).

They discovered upon arrival that the toddler was stuck approximately 13 metres down the borehole.

Community members reported that the toddler’s mother had gone grocery shopping and left her son in the care of his grandmother.

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Unfortunately, a private construction company had started work on the borehole at the grandmother’s house some time ago and had neglected to cover or cordon off the hole.

Because the child’s safe removal was paramount, EMRS joined forces with the following:

  • Rustenburg Emergency and Disaster Management
  • South African Police Service (SAPS)
  • ER24
  • Impala Mine’s rescue service proto B-team
  • Igagu Emergency Medical Services (EMS)

This was done to to ensure the best chance of success.

Royal Bafokeng provided a tractor loader backhoe (TLB) to dig a trench near the hole to aid emergency responders’ access to the child.

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The family and bystanders stood in silent anticipation, waiting for any sign of life from the hole.

A 15-month-old was rescued after falling down a borehole. Video: Platinum Weekly Newspaper

People start praying after two hours

After two hours, some people started praying aloud, while the child’s whimpers kept the rescue teams motivated.

A second TLB arrived just after 14:00, followed by members from the Royal Bafokeng’s proto team.

Emergency responders decided to lower a rescuer into the hole to retrieve the toddler.

Rustenburg Local Municipality Emergency and Disaster Management crew member OJ Mataboge, who is small in stature, was chosen for the job.

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Mataboge was slowly lowered headfirst into the hole while onlookers called out, “Come small! Come small!”

Meanwhile, emergency team members urged him, “Don’t leave him, whatever you don’t leave him.”

After approximately four hours, Mataboge emerged from the hole with the child, and a joyous moment unfolded.

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Royal Bafokeng EMRS transported the child to Job Shimankana Tabane (JST) Hospital, where he received a clean bill of health.

“I would sincerely like to thank everyone who assisted, especially the unprecedented bravery and selflessness shown by Olebogeng Mataboge,” said Managing director of the Royal Bafokeng Administration, Doctor Kebalepile Mokgethi.

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