Reaction Unit SA (Facebook)
A 51-year-old man from Pinetown whose vehicle got swept off the Umbilo River bridge had a narrow escape when he was rescued from a tree.
Spokesperson for the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Craig Lambinon says four vehicles washed off the bridge on Tuesday evening following a heavy downpour that resulted in flash floods.
He says when the man's vehicle got stuck against a tree, he managed to free himself and climbed the tree to get to safety.
Lambinon says their Specialised Tactical Accident Rescue Team (S.T.A.R.T) from Durban and their swift water rescue swimmers responded to the scene.
He says upon arrival they noticed that Heaton Nicholls Drive was at least a meter under fast-flowing water and spotted the man high up in the tree just above his vehicle.
Lambinon says safety ropes were set up and a rescue swimmer entered in the chest-deep water, reaching the man.
He was secured into a life jacket and brought to safety.
Meanwhile, several motorists between Phoenix and Verulam were left stranded after their vehicles became submerged in the water.
A herdsman had also been swept away in Zwelisha and is presumed to have drowned.
The search for his body is still ongoing.
