MOUNT FRERE - SEARCH & RESCUE TEAMS FIND 4 DROWNED CHILDREN AND INTENSIFY SEARCH FOR 2 MORE

Police responded to a scene where six (6) children, aged between 6 and 8 years, were reported to have been swept away by a strong river current while attempting to cross a river on their way home after school at Freyistata River

Freyistata A/A, Popopo in Mt Fletcher.

Search and Rescue K9 members from Mthatha and Elliot attended to the scene while other role players like Mt Fletcher SAPS, LCRC, EMS and Forensic Pathology also responded to the scene.

Four of the deceased were recovered while extra Search and Rescue K9 personnel arrived on scene to beef up the rescue mission.

Two victims have not yet been found but the search was called off for safety reasons and considerations.

The following drowning victims were recovered:

1. Sinekhaya Mfolozi (male) 7 years old

2. Sixolile Ndleleni (male) 7years

3. Elomso Nimbi (female) 8years

4. Hlalanathi Mbuleka (male) 6 years old

The following are still missing:

5. Boitumelo Lebenya (male) 8 years

6. Masixole Molekoa (male) 6 years

All the children were from the same locality.

A seasoned and experienced team of search and rescue members assisted today in searching a large part of the Moyane River and smaller river for the two children without success.

The family and the community as well as local SAPS members also assisted in a full scale search.

The search will continue tomorrow morning early with the assistance of the local SAPS of Mount Fletcher and experience search and rescue members in the province.

via - SAPS