Cape Town — The South African Police Services (SAPS) have recovered eight bodies from a stream in the Free State after a vehicle was found following the storms in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).
In a statement, police revealed that a bakkie was carrying multiple passengers from Heilbron on Sunday when it did not reach its destination on a farm in the district. The occupants were reported missing on the night of Sunday, 2 March 2025.
“They were travelling along a Welgeluk dirt road between two farms when the driver of the bakkie attempted to cross a low-water bridge, called Kliprivier. The vehicle was swept away by strong currents, leading to the loss of multiple lives,” police spokesperson Captain Loraine Earle said.
Among the casualties include a 71-year-old man and his 62-year-old wife along with their three grandchildren, two boys aged 10 and a girl aged 14. Another family died, including a 34-year-old male and his 33-year-old wife, along with their two-year-old girl.
Eight family members found dead after car is swept away by floodwaters in Heilbron
Eight bodies have been recovered in Heilbron, Free State, following a tragic incident in which a car was swept away by floodwaters.
Police divers retrieved the victims’ remains earlier today. pic.twitter.com/1ZzB4iIjya
— SA NATIONAL TRAFFIC UPDATES (@lnnocent191535) March 3, 2025
Police went on a search for the bodies, and a farmer discovered them on the morning of Monday, 3 March. Search and rescue dogs with their handlers and police drivers were dispatched after an extensive search operation, and the bodies were retrieved from the water.
Police have opened an inquest docket to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
“SAPS urges the community to exercise extreme caution during these rainy conditions and to avoid crossing flooded areas, particularly low-water bridges, rivers, and streams,” Earle said.
People are advised to avoid crossing flooded roads, bridges and streams and to not attempt to walk or drive through fast-moving water as the depth and strength can be deceiving.
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
