Rain keeps emergency services busy
Paramedics were kept extremely busy overnight, attending to several flooded roads, vehicles swept into rivers and stranded motorists.
Shortly before midnight, paramedics were called to the scene of a water rescue incident in Vanderbijlpark.
Upon their arrival, they found police rescuers already in attendance. Bystanders, believed to have been on the back of the bakkie, explained to rescuers that their vehicle was swept down the river. An adult and a young child was still on the back of the bakkie.
Rescuers were unable to access the two occupants and later managed to use a Jetski to reach them.
Both were picked up from the vehicle and taken back to safety. Paramedics from ER24 assessed the man and child, but found that they were only in shock. No one was transported to hospital from this scene.
Shortly before 5am paramedics received a call from motorists indicating that a vehicle drove into a flooded area on the R24 near the Eastgate off ramp.
Paramedics arrived on the scene and found the vehicle several meters into the flooded area, but were unable to find the occupant of the vehicle. The road was closed off and local authorities were alerted.
Motorists are urged to avoid entering flooded areas and not to attempt crossing flooded low water bridges. An alternative route should be used and motorists are encouraged to alert local authorities of areas that are flooded.
Keep a proper following distance and remember that it takes longer to bring your vehicle to a standstill on wet roads. Slow down and be patient.