Two Germiston men had a narrow escape after being swept away by raging waters on Wednesday when a tube-rafting outing on the Vaal Dam went horribly wrong.
NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon says the NSRI Vaal Dam was activated following reports of two young men being swept down-river on a tractor tube.
He said the two men, Brad Edwards, 22, and Geoff Thompson, 21, both from Germiston, had been on a day trip to the Vaal.
They launched a tractor tyre tube onto the river below the Gauteng/Free State bridge, at Willow Rapids.
Lambinon said the men hadn’t been wearing life-jackets, because they thought the water was calm enough.
However, when they reached Weir 1, about 1km downstream, they were both washed over the weir and caught in an eddy from which they were unable to free themselves.
“Recent flood conditions contributed to their predicament.
“NSRI Vaal Dam volunteers towed a rescue craft to the scene and a private jet-ski owned by NSRI Vaal Dam volunteers was dispatched.
“ER-24 ambulance services dispatched an ambulance and response vehicle.
“A private resident, Peet Lizemore, launched a private ski-boat, with two additional crew on board, in an attempt to assist the two men.”
However, the ski-boat capsized as it went over the weir and the 3 men on board the ski-boat were now also being washed down-river hanging on to the upturned ski-boat.
“As the ski-boat washed past the two men trapped in the eddy, Peet (Lizemore) threw them life-jackets and the two men managed to grab onto the passing capsized ski-boat.
All five were being swept down-river holding onto the capsized ski-boat.
“NSRI Vaal Dam volunteers, using 4 vehicles, split up to respond to different points along the river to try to head off the capsized ski-boat, which was being washed down-river in rapids.”
At least 10 private residences along the river banks were alerted by our NSRI control room to keep a vigil along the river, Lambinon said.
The department of water affairs was contacted as well to close the floodwater sluice gates.
“Approximately 2km further downstream the capsized boat eventually came to a halt at a bend in the river and we caught up with them.
“No one was injured,” said Lambinon.
– News24