Lentswe, Hartbeesfontein - A six year-old boy drowned in a dam on a farm in the Hartbeesfontein district over the long weekend. Police divers retrieved the child’s body on Sunday morning March 23. Capt Mpho Manyoba, police spokesperson, said family members and neighbours searched for the boy who went swimming in the dam, but without success.
“The owner of the farm informed the police and the divers were sent to the scene. They could not find anything and continued their search the following morning when the body was found.’’
In a separate incident on Friday March 21, a 45 year-old man disappeared after he told his friend he was going to wash himself in the Vaal River. He was not seen again. According to Manyoba only his clothes were found. Police divers searched the whole weekend but his body still hasn’t been found.
The police remind people that swimming in open water is much harder than swimming in a pool. This means you may tire faster and that can lead to trouble very quickly. Also when swimming in rivers or lakes, the murky water can make it difficult to find people who go under.
“If you swim in a place with a strong current, such as where two rivers meet, it can be easy to be pulled under and swept away. It is important when you’re out on the water to wear an appropriate fitting life jacket in case you unexpectedly get tossed into the water. This goes for children too.”
They advise people to check the weather conditions on a day you will be out, and you must always ensure that you have a cellphone handy as well as someone with you who can perform CPR if needed.
“Talk to your children about the dangers of being in open water and tell them what to do in case of an emergency. Recreational boaters must ensure that everyone on the boat wears a life jacket, drive at a safe speed and follow all boating safety and navigational rules.”
Manyoba shared the following safety tips:
- Observations are important when you want to cross or swim in a river, stream or dam. Before entering water, check the strength of the current.
- When caught in a fast flowing river, travel feet first, this will absorb the head and body from serious injury. When you fall into water, unable to stand and reach the side quickly, you should:
- Stay calm.
- Try not to swallow water.
- Keep your head above the water by kicking as if you are cycling and by paddling with your hands at the same time.
