Female deceased after car found semi-submerged in Hartbeespoort Dam

NATIONAL SEA RESCUE INSTITUTE (NSRI) MEDIA RELEASE:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Saturday, 8 May 2021

Female deceased after car found semi-submerged in Hartebeesport Dam

SEA RESCUE – NSRI – STATION 25, Hartbeespoort Dam, Arthur Crewe, NSRI Hartbeespoort Dam station commander, said:

At 15h20, Saturday, 8 May, NSRI Hartbeespoort Dam duty crew were activated following multiple eye-witness reports of a vehicle semi submerged in Hartbeespoort Dam, between the dam wall and the snake park.

SRU (Strategic Response and Rescue Unit) launched their rescue RHIB (rigid hull inflatable boat), accompanied by NSRI rescue swimmers and Police divers.

HEMS (Hartbeespoort Emergency Medical Services) and the SA Police Services responded.

On arrival on the scene NSRI rescue swimmers and Police divers free dived under the wreck where the body of a female, believed to be aged 39, from Gauteng, was recovered from the vehicle.

The female was recovered to the shore where she was declared deceased by HEMS paramedics.

After children's toys were found in the vehicle there were fears that children may have been in the vehicle and a search commenced for any remaining persons but it was later discovered that the female had been alone in the vehicle and it remains unclear the causes or when the vehicle went into the water.

The body of the deceased female was taken into the care of Police and Gauteng Government Health Forensic Pathology Services.

Police have opened an inquest docket.

Police divers and local Police are commended for the support that they provided on the scene.

-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

Craig Lambinon

SEA RESCUE COMMUNICATIONS

Email: communications@searescue.org.za | Cell: +27 (0) 82 380 3800 | www.searescue.org.za