In a heart wrenching turn of events, what was supposed to be a fun fishing excursion with loved ones turned into a devastating double tragedy. This follows two men losing their lives due to drowning on Saturday, 2 September 2023.
According to WATCO Emergency Medical Service’s Waldi Korff, the ill fated day began with the men embarking on their fishing adventure in the early hours, accompanied by family and friends.
Taking place at Zaaihoek Dam in the Groenvlei area of the Utrecht Municipality, Sergeant Stanley Holloway from the Newcastle K9 Search and Rescue unit described the harrowing sequence of events. He revealed that while unloading their canoe, a sudden gust of wind apparently seized control, propelling the vessel into the dam’s waters.
In an attempt to retrieve the drifting canoe, one of the men entered the water but soon found himself struggling to stay afloat. It was at this critical juncture that the second man courageously joined the rescue effort. Tragically, despite their combined efforts, both individuals struggled in the water before disappearing beneath the surface.
Furthermore, the horrifying incident unfolded before the eyes of their distraught family and friends, who promptly contacted emergency services for assistance.
WATCO Emergency Medical Services arrived on the scene, joined by the KZN SAPS Search and Rescue team from Newcastle and the Mpumalanga SAPS Search and Rescue teams.
Waldi Korff, recounting the painstaking search operation, revealed, “A search for the missing males was conducted on Saturday but was later suspended overnight. On Sunday morning, 3 September 2023, the search continued, and both males were recovered from the water at 10:15 am.”
Sergeant Holloway shed light on the challenging conditions faced by the search and rescue divers. The cold water and poor visibility beneath the surface posed considerable difficulties. However, through the collaborative efforts of the diving teams and the invaluable assistance of a Newcastle based security company that provided additional boats and sonar equipment, the bodies of the victims were ultimately recovered on Sunday morning.
The security company supplied the extra boats for the search, as they were stronger than the boats used by emergency personnel.
While the search culminated in a tragic outcome, Waldi Korff extended his heartfelt gratitude to all those involved in the mission to locate the missing men.
Acknowledging their dedication, he expressed gratitude to the KZN and Mpumalanga SAPS Search and Rescue teams, WATCO Emergency Services, EMRS, Pruyt Security, and the Newcastle based security company for their unwavering support.
In light of this tragic incident, Korff stressed the importance of water safety as the summer season approaches. He implored, “We urge everyone over the coming summer season to be vigilant when enjoying time alongside water bodies with their family and friends.”
Sergeant Holloway echoed these sentiments, emphasising the critical need for water safety, especially as warmer weather prevails. He cautioned, “Water safety is a cause for concern, and people are encouraged to avoid taking risks, as a fun day at the dam can lead to tragedy quickly.”
Highlighting the urgency of the matter, he noted that the Search and Rescue team had responded to ten drownings in the past week alone.
Covering a wide region including Newcastle, Dundee, Utrecht, and neighbouring towns, the Newcastle Search and Rescue team appealed to the public to exercise caution, avoid risky behaviour in the water, and closely monitor children.
As this tragedy underscores the importance of water safety, we invite readers to share their thoughts and insights in the comment section below. Let us come together to raise awareness about the imperative need for vigilance and responsibility when enjoying water related activities.
