Central SA
Boat accident claims four lives on Vaal River─── ZENANDE MPAME 11:48 Mon, 23 Oct 2023
“A birthday celebration turned tragic after a motorboat with ten people capsised on the Vaal River.”
The family of ten was celebrating a birthday on the Vaal River near Drie Riviere on Saturday (21/10) just before 17:00.
It is assumed that the boat overturned because another boat was passing it and the waves overturned it. This passing boat was not even aware of what had happened and carried on.
“A woman and a three-year-old girl were trapped under the boat and two people who were clinging on the outside of the boat drowned.
“Police have opened an inquest docket for investigation,” said Gauteng police spokesperson Mavela Masondo.
A resident who lives near the Vaal River was the first to arrive and provide assistance. He discovered three people, including a toddler, on top of the capsised boat.
Emergency vehicles were on the scene Saturday. Picture: CERT-SA/ Facebook
“The people were floating head-under water on the river. They did have life jackets on but they were not fastened properly,” said the resident.
More people were rescued from the boat, but they were unable to be saved. CPR only saved the woman who was pulled from the river by the resident first.
Netwerk24 reported that a pregnant woman and a three-year-old child are among the four people who died.
The Community Emergency Response Team was activated and upon arrival four of the occupants had drowned and were pronounced dead on the scene. Six other people were treated on the scene.
