Family narrowly escapes drowning after floods wash away their vehicle

A family of three narrowly escaped drowning when their SUV was washed off a low-water bridge on End Avenue in Centurion, Gauteng.

The incident was reported to the City of Tshwane Emergency Services Department at approximately 17:45 on Monday, 13 February 2023.

FAMILY ESCAPES DROWNING IN CENTURION

Tshwane Emergency Services Department spokesperson Deputy Chief Charles Mabaso said members were dispatched to the incident.

Upon arrival, they found a white SUV that had washed away into the Hennops River. The End Avenue Bridge was closed off to traffic with physical barriers and barrier tape at around midday on 13 February 2023 following the persistent rain being experienced in parts of Tshwane and some parts of South Africa.

ALSO READ: 20 killed and 68 injured in horrific collision on the N1, Limpopo

“The occupants of the vehicle could not be found at the scene or inside the car. It was assumed that they had been swept away by the river until members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) made contact with the owner after identifying the vehicle’s registered owner.

“The owner, a male of an unconfirmed age, confirmed that he and his teenage boy and girl managed to swim to safety after the vehicle was washed off the low-water bridge into the river. A public member alleged that the SUV driver drove around the barricades used to close the road before it was washed away.”

Charles Mabaso

ALSO READ: LOOK: Tshwane roads CLOSED due to torrential rains

This is the second incident in the same area in two days. An Isuzu bakkie, which has not been recovered from the Hennops River, was washed away on Saturday, 11 February 2023.

SEARCH FOR OTHER PEOPLE SWEPT AWAY CONTINUES

Under the command of the SAPS K9 and Diving Unit and subject to safe conditions, the Emergency Services Department will resume the search for about five people who were reported to the Gauteng Emergency Medical Services as being swept away at a stream in Olievenhoutbosch on Saturday.

Persistent rain has reportedly led to the flooding of informal settlements in parts of Mamelodi, Atteridgeville, Soshanguve, and Cullinan.

Multiple roads in the southern, eastern, and western parts of Tshwane experienced some flooding, leading to traffic disruptions on Monday, 13 February 2023.

ALSO READ: ‘Long overdue’: EFF celebrates resignation of Tshwane Mayor

Mabaso called on motorists to exercise extreme caution when driving in rainy and wet conditions by reducing their speed, switching their headlights, and increasing following distances.

“Our repeated calls on motorists to desist from crossing flooded low-water bridges and ignoring barriers used to close roads during flooding seem to fall on deaf ears because we still see vehicles being washed away in regular spots. Behaving safely is everyone’s responsibility,” he added.

ALSO READ: ‘Long overdue’: EFF celebrates resignation of Tshwane Mayor