Pretoria - A Tshwane Emergency Services fire fighter died during a rescue operation in flooded Centurion earlier today.
According to Tshwane Emergency Services spokesperson, Johan Pieterse, the fire fighter's canoe capsized while he was searching for seven people believed to have been swept away by the floods. He was believed to be searching near the Kaalspruit river.
"We can confirm that a fire fighter, who was involved in search and rescue operations in Centurion, died this afternoon. The canoe, which he was using with a colleague, capsized and he shortly disappeared, but he was soon spotted and rushed to hospital. Unfortunately he died a few hours later," he said.
Pieterse said the deceased, who died in the line of duty, was believed to be at his late 40s.
Regarding the seven missing people, Pieterse said none of them have been found so far.
He advised motorists to refrain from insisting on crossing flooded low-lying bridges. "We are also urging people to vacate their homes if they are staying in low lying areas," he said.
