The search for an ambulance driver whose vehicle was washed away by a strong river near Montagu in the Overberg, has been suspended until weather conditions change.
The 40-year-old woman was driving alone in the ambulance when the raging river swept it away, according to SABC news.
Attempts to find her were hampered by strong rapids as nearly four inches of rain fell in the area in about 24 hours.
Wayne Smith, head of Disaster Medicine at provincial government, says the woman informed the dispatchers, and an intensive rescue effort was launched.
Unfortunately, the vehicle was washed away before they could reach her. A metro EMS helicopter in Oudtshoorn was dispatched to search the area, according to the report.
Smith says they will have to wait until the water levels subside enough to resume rescue efforts.
"It's a case of just how safe it is to commit resources into the river. After seeing the video footage from the helicopter, we're not prepared to put any rescuers in the water. It's a needle in a haystack. The helicopter has flown the length of the river, if anything has gone down the route, they've been unable to locate anything as yet," Smith told reporters.
- EMSWORLD
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