Cape Town - In a tragic turn of events, a Good Samaritan who assisted a motorist in a flooded street, died after being swept away in a current while crossing the road.
The man was rushing to work when he found the woman in distress in Range Road, Blackheath, yesterday.
Eye-witness to the incident, Denishia Ruiters, said the man helped to move the car out of the water.
“It was around 6am when he helped take the car out of the water and he waited with the woman for two hours before the tow truck arrived.
“At 8.10am he took his lunch bag and started walking and I told him the traffic cop said no one was allowed to walk across the road and that if we did, it was at our own risk because they didn’t know how deep the water was.
“I told him to call his bosses and explain the situation but he said no he was leaving. He left. When I saw him walk to the canal, I started screaming at him and shouted that he was going to step into the water, and that is when he took his final step.”
WATCH | In a tragic turn of events, a Good Samaritan who assisted a motorist in a flooded street, died after being swept away in a current while crossing the road.
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The Eerste River woman said she watched helplessly as the man was swept away by the current.
“He tried to hold onto the walls of the canal but it was like he was in a washing machine, the way the water took him, he came out and then was pulled back in again.
“I was shouting and screaming for people to come and help, but no one could help. I saw his lunch bag floating and then he came out again but I could only see his jacket. I then checked on the other side of the road and he was there. I flagged down a car from Disaster Risk Management and the lady said she couldn’t do that alone and called for help,” Ruiters said.
“I feel bad because I’m a former lifeguard and I couldn’t save him, I wanted to but I couldn’t risk it.”
The Cape Argus was on scene as divers geared up to get into the water.
They walked in the canal and minutes later his bag and body were found.
Police spokesperson, Joseph Swartbooi, said: “At the time of the incident the roads were flooded. SAPS and Fire and Rescue divers were deployed to the area to search the area where the person was last seen by an eye witness upon which a search ensued. The body of an unknown man was retrieved from the water. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene by medical personnel. Mfuleni police registered an inquest for further investigation.”
Police have appealed to anyone with information about the man’s identity to call Crime Stop at 08600 10111.
mandilakhe.tshwete@inl.co.za
Cape Argus