Arthur Crewe, NSRI Hartbeespoort Dam station commander, said:At 12h43, Tuesday, 7 July, SRU (Strategic Response and Rescue Unit) were activated following eye-witness reports of a vehicle noticed to be submerged in the Hartbeespoort Dam between the Snake Park and Hartbeespoort Dam bridge.SRU members, who are also NSRI Hartbeespoort Dam (Station 25) crew members, were on the dam at the time on the SRU rescue craft 'The Serpent', and they responded to the scene to investigate.A call-out activation was posted for NSRI Hartbeespoort Dam duty crew and additional SRU members to respond.The SA Police Services and HEMS (Hartbeespoort Emergency Medical Services) were activated.On arrival on the scene a vehicle was found submerged in the water.NSRI and SRU rescue swimmers free dived on the vehicle and a safety line was attached to the submerged vehicle from a towing services vehicle.The rescue team, while free diving on the vehicle, were able to break into the vehicle and the body of a man was recovered from the vehicle and taken onboard the SRU rescue craft.The body of the man was brought to our NSRI rescue station where HEMS paramedics declared the man deceased.The body of the unidentified man has been taken into the care of Police and Government Health Forensic Pathology Services and Police have opened an inquest docket.It remains unknown when the vehicle went into the water.-ENDS-
The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) is the charity organisation that saves lives on South African waters – both coastal and inland. Our goal is to prevent drowning through rescue operations, education and prevention initiatives.Operating from base stations along the SA coastline, and on inland dams, our rescue volunteers are on call, at all hours, every day of the year. Our rescue crew receives no payment and neither do we charge the people we rescue.We visit schools around the country, teaching children about water safety. Our drowning prevention measures include our online training academy, with free courses for crew and the public, emergency signage, Pink Rescue Buoys for emergency flotation, rescue swimmers, lifeguards, and active patrols during peak seasons.Our organisation is totally reliant on donations and sponsorships. This enables us to do the work of saving lives, changing lives, and creating futures.You can do your bit to assist. Please visit
www.nsri.org.za for more information.
SEA RESCUE EMERGENCY: 112 or 087 094 9774
