Body of a driver retrieved from wreckage and crew survives the crash

CHUENESPOORT

MEMBERS of the South African Police Service Search and Rescue Unit have on Wednesday morning 2018-02-21 succeeded in retrieving the body of a heavy duty truck from the wreckage at Chuenespoort just outside Lebowakgomo.

The long awaited heavy and continuous rains in the large parts of the province resulted in the swelling of some rivers including the Chuene dam.

The driver of a heavy duty truck used to transport vehicles, lost control of the vehicle as he and three (3) passengers were driving along the R37 road at Chuenespoort. The truck partially plunged into a fast flowing river.

Members of the SAPS Search and Rescue Unit were called to the scene and together with members of Polokwane EMS, the fire Brigades of Polokwane and Lebowakgomo worked tirelessly into the early hours of Wednesday morning to free the body of the deceased driver from the wreckage as well as assisting in transporting the three injured passengers to hospital.

The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Limpopo Lieutenant General Nneke Ledwaba commanded the members for their dedication, selfless and relentless efforts to assist others without thinking of their own safety. He cautioned members of the public across the province to be extremely cautious in the continuous cloudy, misty and rainy conditions and warned motorists to drive safely and community members in the rural arrears nit to cross fast flowing rivers or streams.

Moatshe Ngoepe, Polokwane Spokesman said: “The members had to operate in extremely dangerous conditions in the dark in the extreme weather conditions and had to cope with the flowing of water, as they were trying to save the surviving bodies. We believed that the accident was caused by the heavy rainfall, but the police investigations are still continuing” said Ngoepe.