The bodies of three farmworkers have been recovered during a mass rescue operation on a farm between Worcester and Rawsonville.
The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) said teams were called out to the farm near the old N1 roadway yesterday morning, where they found 23 people on the roofs of farm buildings.
It is believed they had been trapped there since Monday, due to flooding.
“At 10h53, Tuesday, 12 May, NSRI Kleinmond crew were activated following a request for assistance from WC Government Health EMS Metro Rescue and WC DRM (Disaster Risk Management), in cooperation with Overberg DRM,” read the NSRI statement.
The large-scale rescue included multiple NSRI crews, as well as Provincial Traffic Services and an EMS Metro Rescue squad.
The NSRI’s Craig Lambinon said trapped victims included “babies, toddlers, children, adults, the elderly, as well as one blind man and one paraplegic man”, adding that there were also animals in distress. They were evacuated using ladders, relays and the NSRI’s floating rescue craft.
“Our rescue crew worked tirelessly despite challenging conditions, often wading and swimming through barely accessible terrain and flooded areas. Once out of harm’s way, safely on terra firma, they were taken into the care of the farmer,” said Lambinon.
Lambinon advised that during the operation, the bodies of two men and a woman were found in flooded buildings on the farm.
Their bodies have since been recovered and handed to the police for further investigation.
“The bodies of the deceased have been taken into the care of Police and Government Health Forensic Pathology Services. Condolences are conveyed to the families of the deceased.”
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Lambinon also noted that teams were not able to recover some farm and domestic animals, as well as wildlife, due to the dangerous conditions.
“NSRI Kleinmond returned to base at 23h00. NSRI Agulhas and NSRI Hermanus are mobilising to assist police and the emergency services deployed in operations on Wednesday.”
In another emergency response mission, a family of seven was rescued after being found in distress in the Three Rivers area in Worcester. The family, including the parents, four children and a seven-day-old baby, were confirmed safe and reunited.
