The body of a 9-year-old was found after he drowned in a river. Image: Reaction Unit South Africa Facebook / IPSS Medical Rescue Facebook
Body of 9-year-old found after drowning in a river
The body of a 9-year-old boy was recovered early this morning after drowning in a river in the Ndwedwe area on Wednesday, 4 January
The body of a 9-year-old was found after he drowned in a river. Image: Reaction Unit South Africa Facebook / IPSS Medical Rescue Facebook
Various emergency services responded to reports of a drowning in the Ndwedwe area on Wednesday, 4 January 2023.
His body was found early on Thursday morning.
Boy drowns after experiencing difficulty in the river
Residents requested assistance from Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) at approximately 20:29.
RUSA members were dispatched to the scene and met with the child’s family upon arrival.
They said the boy was swimming with friends around 14:00 when he attempted to retrieve a five-litre plastic gallon that they were using as a floatation device.
He encountered difficulty at some point and vanished underwater.
Following that, his friends are said to have fled.
Other children playing nearby witnessed to the incident. They entered the river and searched in vain for the boy.
The search continued early this morning, 5 January, and the boy’s body was recovered and handed over to Ndwedwe SAPS.
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