MPUMALANGA – The search for a third person believed to have been in a vehicle that plunged into the Crocodile River is set to resume, following the recovery of the car and two bodies.
Police retrieved the vehicle from the river after it failed to stop at an intersection, struck a fence, traveled approximately 500 meters, hit another fence, and then entered the water. Two victims were recovered from inside the car during an hours-long operation involving police divers working in cold, dark water.
One of those recovered was the 20-year-old driver, who was due to celebrate his 21st birthday on July 7. Authorities confirmed a case of culpable homicide has been opened and investigations are ongoing, with additional charges possible as the probe continues.
Jabu Ndubane, spokesperson for the South African Police Service in Mpumalanga, said one family has been located regarding the female victim recovered from the vehicle’s boot, and formal identification was expected to take place. Another family came forward to report their son missing after he failed to respond to calls; they confirmed he was expected to be in the vehicle.
“The search will continue today,” Ndubane stated. “The SAPS search and rescue team will check if the body is not stuck inside the river, because it shows that maybe he got out somewhere. We don’t know how.”
The operation, scheduled to begin at 9:00 AM, will prioritize safety given significant hazards in the area. Ndubane noted the presence of crocodiles and hippos in the river, as well as a waterfall downstream. Cold water temperatures also pose a risk of hypothermia for divers, while poor visibility complicates underwater efforts.
To mitigate risks, teams will first deploy drones to scan the riverbanks before any further water-based search proceeds. Ndubane added that the vehicle’s sunroof had been removed and the impact was severe enough that the third occupant could have been ejected.
Authorities confirmed the victims were not university students but were enrolled at other colleges in the area. Details about the missing third person, including age and identity, remain unconfirmed at this time.
The investigation continues as families await closure and rescue teams work under challenging conditions to locate the missing individual.