A 38-year-old woman is feared dead after being swept away in a minibus taxi in the overflowing Umlumati River in Schoemansdal, Mpumalanga police said on Tuesday.
“The taxi and the woman have not been found yet,” spokesperson Captain Leonard Hlathi said.
The taxi driver was en-route to drop off his female passenger at around 22:00 on Monday when he came across a bridge that was underwater.
“The taxi driver tried to drive through, but the water was so strong that it swept away the taxi with the passenger inside.”
The driver managed to get out and swim to safety. No other commuters were on board at the time.
– SAPA
We would like to urge motorists to view the following sections on the Arrive Alive website:
Safe Driving in Heavy rains
Escape and safety from a vehicle submerged under water
4×4 Vehicles and water crossings
Car Insurance and engine damage from driving through water