Pretoria – As reported by the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) on Saturday morning, police divers have retrieved the body of a missing toddler from Hartbeespoort Dam lake.
Arthur Crewe, the NSRI Hartbeespoort Dam station commander, addressed the heartbreaking incident, stating: “At 04:00 on Friday, 20 December, NSRI Hartbeespoort Dam’s duty crew was called by the SA Police Services to aid in the search for a two-year-old boy who had gone missing since late Thursday afternoon, 19 December, near Eeladsfontein, Tshwane, along a small river leading to Hartbeespoort Dam by the N4 Magalies Freeway.”
The NSRI Hartbeespoort Dam swift water rescue team worked alongside Police Water Policing and Diving Services, Police K9 Search and Rescue, Tshwane Water Rescue, and Tshwane Emergency Services in a comprehensive search for the child.
“The family last saw the toddler playing in a field close to the river near Hartbeespoort Dam, but when he failed to return home, they raised an alarm,” Crewe explained.
“The extensive search of the river and surrounding areas included assistance from a Police helicopter.
“During this search operation, police divers found and recovered the child’s body from the river.”
Crewe stated that the child’s body has been transferred to police and Government Health Forensic Pathology Services.
“We offer our deepest condolences to the family of the deceased child,” Crewe added.
“All services involved in the search extend their support, compassion, and thoughts to the family during this difficult time.”
The police have opened an Inquest docket.
