Cape Town – A Mozambican tour guide was rescued by Mpumalanga police after his vehicle was swept away while attempting to cross a low water bridge over the Komati River in Komatipoort on Thursday.
The 58-year-old guide was reportedly driving a vehicle to retrieve guests from South Africa. At 10 pm, he attempted to cross a low water bridge over the Komati River in Komatipoort, but the vehicle was swept away by the water.
“Today Mpumalanga police divers in collaboration with the South African National Defence Force based in Hoedspruit managed to rescue the man through a helicopter brought by the soldiers. However, the car is still stuck inside the river,” police spokesperson Brig Selvy Mohlala said.
#sapsMP A tour guide (56) was rescued from Komati River in Komatipoort this morning. He tried to drive over a low water bridge when the water swept the vehicle he was driving. #SAPS Mpumalanga divers in collaboration with the SANDF based in Hoedspruit managed to rescue the man.… pic.twitter.com/vOqDCdQEi0
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) December 29, 2023
Two other incidents on the same day involved individuals being swept away while crossing the same bridge, with one person still missing.
Mpumalanga police commissioner Lieutenant-General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela praised the rescue team and urged the public not to cross low-lying bridges during rainy days.
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Picture: X/@SAPoliceService
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
