ADDO, Eastern Cape -A third body has been recovered after a Toyota Hilux carrying five Zimbabwean nationals was swept into the Coerney River in Addo.

The body of the missing driver, aged 35, was discovered on Sunday morning by community members who had been searching along the riverbank since the initial incident.

Police spokesperson Captain Marius McCarthy confirmed the latest development, saying the recovery was made approximately one kilometre from where the vehicle was last seen after entering the water.

McCarthy said the victims allegedly attempted to cross the Coerney River via a low-water bridge along Slagboom Road.

 “On Saturday, 5 June, at approximately 03:30, police received a report that five Zimbabwean nationals, travelling in a white Toyota Hilux bakkie, attempted to cross the Coerney River via a low-water bridge along Slagboom Road in Addo,” he said.

“The bakkie was swept off the bridge and fell into the river.”

The incident unfolded in the early hours of Saturday morning when the vehicle carrying five men entered the river.

Two occupants reportedly managed to escape the water, while the three men in the front of the vehicle became trapped and went missing.

The first two bodies were recovered on Saturday, while search operations continued for the remaining missing man until his body was found on Sunday.

SAPS Search and Rescue, together with the Sundays River Valley Local Municipality Rescue Team and EMS personnel, conducted extensive search operations throughout the weekend.

Police have opened an inquest docket and investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident are ongoing.

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