Tshwane emergency services rescue motorists stuck in floods

The City of Tshwane Emergency Services Department rescued two motorists from their vehicles after they got stuck in flooded roads in Centurion on Friday, 10 February 2023.

MOTORISTS WERE SAFELY EVACUATED

Emergency Services Deputy Chief Thabo Charles Mabaso says the occupants of both vehicles were evacuated safely.

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“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 water levels in Blackwood Road were dropping but still high.”

Charles Mabaso

TSHWANE MOTORISTS MUST AVOID FLOODED ROADS

Mabaso said they are calling on motorists to stay clear from crossing flooded low-water bridges during this heavy rainfall and risk losing their lives and those of their passengers.

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“We also make a repeated call on those who find shelter under bridges near rivers to evacuate the area when it rains,” says Mabaso.

Mabaso 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.

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Meanwhile, another person has been swept away in the Apies River near the Zoological Gardens. Emergency services are working right through the heavy rainfall in the City of Tshwane as they are searching for a man who was swept away by the Apies River on Thursday afternoon, 9 February 2023

TSHWANE EMERGENCY SEARCH FOR PERSON IN APIES RIVER

This is the second person in Tshwane that was swept away in Apies River due to heavy rainfall this last week.

The emergency services responded to a call that a person 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.

TSHWANE MOTORISTS MUST STAY AWAY FROM LOW-LYING BRIDGES

Mabaso said the search was called off yesterday evening 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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“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 rivers when it rains.”

Charles Mabaso

The City of Tshwane has warned motorists to steer clear of low-lying bridges, rivers, and flooded roads.

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For any life-threatening emergencies, call 107 toll-free to report a fire or life-threatening emergency.

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