The search for an 11-year-old boy who fell into the Apies River ended in tears as his family watched rescuers carry his lifeless body on a stretcher on Wednesday.
Karabo Modimole was among six boys from Hammanskraal, north of Pretoria, who went for a swim on Monday when he allegedly tripped and fell from the Temba Bridge into the river. His body was found by rescuers from the Temba police and Tshwane Emergency Services around midday on Wednesday after a 36-hour search.
Karabo’s uncle Solly said his younger sister (Karabo’s mom) called him at about 6pm on Monday to inform him of the incident and rescuers were called, but a search could not be immediately launched as it was too dark and the river was flowing too fast.
“My nephew’s friends told us that they were on their way to swim at Temba Bridge when he tripped and fell into the river. They said they tried to rescue him but they couldn’t because the water was too high and after a few minutes they could no longer see him,” he said.
He said the family didn’t sleep that evening, hoping that Karabo would be found alive.
“I don’t have much to say. It is painful. I am just glad that we have found closure as a family and we will be able to bury one of our own,” he said.
He said the boys who had witnessed the horrific incident needed counselling.
A local resident, Mpumi Letswalo, 27, said recreational places were scarce in the area and the river was a source of entertainment for many children.
“We need sports facilities, libraries and recreation centres in Hammanskraal. We are not blaming anyone but such an incident could have been avoided if children had options of places to entertain themselves,” she said.
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Boys who witnessed friend drown in Apies River need counselling, says victim's uncle
11-year-old Karabo fell from bridge
Image: 123RF/Paul Fleet
The search for an 11-year-old boy who fell into the Apies River ended in tears as his family watched rescuers carry his lifeless body on a stretcher on Wednesday.
Karabo Modimole was among six boys from Hammanskraal, north of Pretoria, who went for a swim on Monday when he allegedly tripped and fell from the Temba Bridge into the river. His body was found by rescuers from the Temba police and Tshwane Emergency Services around midday on Wednesday after a 36-hour search.
Karabo’s uncle Solly said his younger sister (Karabo’s mom) called him at about 6pm on Monday to inform him of the incident and rescuers were called, but a search could not be immediately launched as it was too dark and the river was flowing too fast.
“My nephew’s friends told us that they were on their way to swim at Temba Bridge when he tripped and fell into the river. They said they tried to rescue him but they couldn’t because the water was too high and after a few minutes they could no longer see him,” he said.
He said the family didn’t sleep that evening, hoping that Karabo would be found alive.
“I don’t have much to say. It is painful. I am just glad that we have found closure as a family and we will be able to bury one of our own,” he said.
He said the boys who had witnessed the horrific incident needed counselling.
A local resident, Mpumi Letswalo, 27, said recreational places were scarce in the area and the river was a source of entertainment for many children.
“We need sports facilities, libraries and recreation centres in Hammanskraal. We are not blaming anyone but such an incident could have been avoided if children had options of places to entertain themselves,” she said.
SowetanLIVE
Support independent journalism by subscribing to the Sunday Times. Just R20 for the first month.
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