Tragic Loss: Community Mourns the Passing of Missing Toddler

Arthur Crewe, NSRI Hartbeespoort Dam station commander, said: At 04h00,  Friday, 20 December, NSRI Hartbeespoort Dam duty crew were activated by the SA Police Services to assist in an ongoing search for a 2 year old male toddler reported missing since later afternoon on Thursday, 19 December, in the vicinity of Eeladsfontein, Tshwane, on a subsidiary river leading to Hartbeespoort Dam, near to the N4 Magalies Freeway.

NSRI Hartbeespoort Dam swift water rescue swimmers and  SRU (Strategic Rescue Unit) responded to join the SA Police Services, Police WPDS (Water Policing and Diving Services), Police K9 Search and Rescue, Tshwane Water Rescue and Tshwane Emergency Services, conducting an extensive ongoing search operation.

Family reportedly had last seen the child playing in the field in the vicinity of the river area near to Hartbeespoort Dam but after failing to return home the alarm was raised.

An extensive search on the river and surrounding areas included a Police helicopter that joined in the extensive search efforts.

During the extensive search operation the body of the child was located and recovered from the river by Police divers.

The body of the child has been taken into the care of Police and Government Health Forensic Pathology Services.

Police have opened an Inquest docket.

Condolences are conveyed to the family of the deceased child.

All services involved in the search embrace the family of the deceased child with care, compassion and thoughts in this difficult time.