The Free State police would like to confirm the recovery of a body from the Heidedal quarry on Thursday, 23 October 2025 following a week-long search operation.
The incident, initially reported as a possible drowning, occurred on Thursday, 16 October 2025, at about 15:00, when a 20-year-old male reportedly drowned while swimming with friends in the quarry.
On 16 October 2025, the team conducted an initial inspection dive in the area indicated by witnesses but with no success. On 17 October 2025 police dive team searched the area but were unsuccessful.
From 18 to 22 October 2025 the dive teams had to attend to other critical drowning scenes across the Free State, including Bothaville where one victim was seen floating and was retrieved successfully, Ficksburg, a male was also seen floating and was successfuly retrieved. In Virginia, the team could not find the body and will be visiting the scene again. Searches to the Heidedal quarry continued, but without success. Drones, sourced from private security were utilized to canvas the area. Assistance was provided by private security and the Heidedal Neighborhood Watch.
On 23 October 2025, one of the dedicated dive operation resulted in the successful recovery of the body approximately 60 to 70 meters away from the initial search area. On the same day, divers also attended to body recoveries at Kagisanong where a female was spotted floating in a spring and Ficksburg, where one body was found in the Caledon River, with a further callout to Villiers.
A dedicated search and rescue dog handler attended the Heidedal scene daily and was simultaneously deployed to other operations in Ficksburg, Virginia, and Welkom.
The SAPS continues to urge the community to refrain from swimming in the quarry, as it is dangerously deep and has been the site of multiple tragic deaths. Inquest dockets were opened and are being investigated from all drowning incidents.
