The bodies of four people suspected to have drowned after a boat capsized on the Vaal River during a ski boat trip on Saturday have been recovered.
The bodies were found near Sasolburg in the Free State on Sunday.
This totals the incident’s death toll to five with two survivors.
A body was recovered on Saturday while the four, on Sunday.
Police spokesperson Brig Mathapelo Peters said:
“It is reported that on Saturday evening, seven people, whose ages range between 30 and 45, were cruising on a boat in the Vaal River, Vereeniging, from Sam Gross Three Rivers when their boat allegedly capsized.”
“Two people – one woman and one man – survived and a second man was declared dead on the scene.”
“The [police] team has withdrawn after concluding the successful recovery operation in search of the four victims, whose bodies were recovered closer to Sasolburg in the Free State.”
“The boat in question has now also been found and retrieved from the river,” said Peters.
She added that the police is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
“All seven passengers have now been accounted for, with five fatalities confirmed. The identities of the deceased cannot be disclosed at this stage until their next of kin have been informed.
“In the meantime, an inquest docket has been opened for further investigation,” Peters said.
