Pretoria – The body of a missing toddler has been recovered from the lake at Hartbeespoort Dam by police divers, the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) reported Saturday morning.
Commenting on the gut-wrenching incident, Arthur Crewe, NSRI Hartbeespoort Dam station commander, said: “At 04:00, Friday, 20 December, NSRI Hartbeespoort Dam duty crew were activated by the SA Police Services to assist in an ongoing search for a two-year-old male toddler reported missing since late afternoon on Thursday, 19 December, in the vicinity of Eeladsfontein, Tshwane, on a subsidiary river leading to Hartbeespoort Dam, near to the N4 Magalies Freeway”.
NSRI Hartbeespoort Dam swift water rescue swimmers and Strategic Rescue Unit joined the Police Water Policing and Diving Services, Police K9 Search and Rescue, Tshwane Water Rescue, and Tshwane Emergency Services, in an extensive search for the toddler.
“[The] family reportedly had last seen the child playing in the field in the vicinity of the river area near to Hartbeespoort Dam but after failing to return home the alarm was raised,” said Crewe.
“An extensive search on the river and surrounding areas included a Police helicopter that joined in the extensive search efforts.
“During the extensive search operation, the body of the child was located and recovered from the river by police divers.”
Crewe said the body of the child was taken into the care of police and Government Health Forensic Pathology Services.
“Condolences are conveyed to the family of the deceased child,” said Crewe.
“All services involved in the search embrace the family of the deceased child with care, compassion, and thoughts in this difficult time.”
Police have opened an Inquest docket.
