The body of a 27-year-old man was airlifted from the river bank of the Tugela River in Sundumbili – KZN this afternoon (Thursday).
The Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) R44 Raven 2 Helicopter lifted off at 13:53 and routed 60 kilometres north of Durban – KZN after receiving a call for assistance from Search & Rescue technicians. Upon landing on the river bank, the Pilot In Command and two crews met with SAPS Officials from the Umhlali K9 Search & Rescue Unit, the Sundumbili SAPS and IPSS Search & Rescue Division.
It was confirmed that the body of a 27-year-old man who drowned in 1.5 meters of water on Tuesday was recovered approximately 300 metres downstream by Search & Rescue Technicians in the crocodile-infested river this afternoon. They requested assistance to fly the body to Medico Legal Mortuary (MLM) employees. The deceased was loaded into the aircraft and flown approximately two (2) kilometres to the awaiting vehicle. The scene of the drowning could not be accessed by vehicles.
The eight Officials were also flown from the riverbank to their vehicles to avoid the lengthy return hike.
