The body of 2 year old toddler was recovered early on Friday morning in a subsidiary river east of the Hartbeespoort Dam, close to the N4 highway. The boy was reported missing on Thursday afternoon.

The scene of the drowning incident near Hartbeespoort.

According to Arthur Crewe, NSRI Hartbeespoort Dam station commander, the NSRI Hartbeespoort Dam duty crew were activated by the SA Police Services to assist in an ongoing search for a 2 year old at 04h00, Friday, 20 December.

“NSRI Hartbeespoort Dam water rescue swimmers and SRU (Strategic Rescue Unit) responded to join the SA Police Services, Police WPDS (Water Policing and Diving Services), Police K9 Search and Rescue, Tshwane Water Rescue and Tshwane Emergency Services, conducting an extensive ongoing search operation. 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.
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,” Arthur Crewe said.
“The body of the child has been taken into the care of Police and Government Health Forensic Pathology Services.
Police have opened an Inquest docket. Condolences are conveyed to the family of the deceased child. All services involved in the search embrace the family of the deceased child with care, compassion and thoughts in this difficult time.”

The area where the body was recovered.