The City of Tshwane is warning motorist to avoid low lying bridges following the heavy rains. Image: Twitter/@CityTshwane
Tshwane: Another person swept away in the Apies River
The City of Tshwane is warning motorist to avoid low lying bridges following the heavy rains.
The City of Tshwane is warning motorist to avoid low lying bridges following the heavy rains. Image: Twitter/@CityTshwane
Emergency services are working right through the heavy rainfall in the City of Tshwane, searching for a person who was swept away by the Apies River on Thursday afternoon, 9 February 2023
THE SECOND PERSON SWEPT AWAY IN APIES RIVER IN TSHWANE
This is the second person in Tshwane that was swept away in Apies River due to heavy rainfall this last week.
The City of Tshwane Emergency Services Department responded to a call that a man was swept away by the Apies River near the Pretoria Zoological Gardens at approximately 13:30.
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“This is the second incident in the vicinity of the Pretoria Zoo in less than a week. Another man drowned when the river swept him away on Friday, 3 February 2023. His body was recovered in Pretoria North on Saturday, 4 February 2023,” says Emergency Services Deputy Chief Thabo Charles Mabaso.
TSHWANE MOTORISTS MUST STAY AWAY FROM LOW-LYING BRIDGES
Mabaso said the search was called off on Thursday night due to poor visibility and high and fast-flowing waters.
“The search continues today under the command of the South African Police Service (SAPS) K9 and Diving Unit.”
Charles Mabaso
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He said the Hennops River in Centurion burst its banks. This led to flooding and the closure of multiple roads before two cars were stuck on Blackwood and Lyttelton Road.
Mabaso says the occupants of both vehicles were evacuated safely. Rabie Street, End Avenue, and Blackwood Road were closed at the time of the release of this statement. Water levels in Blackwood Road were dropping but still high.
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“We are making a repeated call to motorists to avoid crossing flooded low-water bridges, and risk losing their lives and those of their passengers as well as their assets. We also make a repeated call on those who find shelter under bridges near rivers to evacuate the area when it rains.”
Charles Mabaso
The City of Tshwane has warned motorists to steer clear of low-lying bridges and rivers.
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For any life-threatening emergencies, call 107 toll-free to report a fire or life-threatening emergency.
