It is almost 130 years since the Bain\u2019s Kloof tragedy, which claimed four young lives in a story of both tragedy and heroism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Witrivier is one of the most alluring streams in the area, flowing gently through Bain\u2019s Kloof and forming pools of happy memories for many.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But don\u2019t be fooled by this for, in winter after a heavy rainfall, this stream can become a raging torrent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And this was exactly the case on 23 May 1895.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On this day Piet van der Merwe and Carl Pauw set out to guide a party of students and teachers from the Huguenot Seminary to the lower Sneeu\u00adkop region on a mountaineering experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On reaching the Witrivier it was found to be a few metres wide, and by stepping from rock to rock it was easily crossed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The mist cleared and the climbing party reached the summit by 14:00.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But on the descent some of the students were battling with sore feet and, to make things worse, the weather started to turn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was then decided to split the party into two \u2013 Van der Merwe and Pauw\u2019s groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first party, under the leadership of Van der Merwe, managed to reach the Witrivier. The river had risen in the course of the day and was running much faster than it had in the morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Van der Merwe and the girls crossed it safely and reached Wellington before nightfall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The weather had set in and the rain was now pouring down. The townsfolk were becoming agitated, as there was still no sign of Pauw\u2019s group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At midnight a search party of young men and local farmers went in search of Pauw and the girls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These rescuers set off armed with blankets, light snacks, lanterns, brandy and some rope.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On arrival at the Witrivier at approximately 02:00, the search party found that the calm stream of the previous day had been transformed into a raging torrent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They heard shouts from the other side of the river and were relieved that Pauw\u2019s group was safe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was decided to wait until daylight before an attempt would be made to rescue the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At first light a rope was thrown across to the stranded group. By now they were suffering from exposure and their hands were too cold to hold tight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Christiaan Krynauw then braved the icy water and swam across with the rope. A thicker rope was attached, pulled across the river and secured to a rock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
More rescuers crossed with food and brandy to revive the stricken party. Once everybody\u2019s spirits had lifte, it was decided to take one girl at a time across.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lettie de Jager (18) was the first volunteer to attempt the crossing. Christiaan Krynauw and Lourens van Dyk met her halfway through the icy water and assisted her along the rope through the raging rapids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Things then started going horribly wrong when the three lost their footing and were swept away, but landed on a rock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Seeing his brother and Lettie in danger, Francois van Dyk went to their rescue. He too was swept away by the waters and landed in a bush close to the other three.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Due to shock and the freezing temperatures, Lettie eventually lost consciousness and was swept off the rock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As she disappeared downstream, Krynauw and Lourens tried to reach her, but this cost them their lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A rope was thrown to Francois, but because of the cold his hands had become numb and he could not hold on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He eventually also lost consciousness and was also swept away by the raging river.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The remaining rescuers then moved the rope further upstream, where they were able to rescue the rest of the party.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another search party was later organised and the bodies of the four young people who drowned were recovered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Today a monument stands along the picturesque route which the youngsters took on that fateful day, bearing the words \u201cIn memory of the daring and heroism of L van Dyk, F van Dyk, C Krynauw and Lettie de Jager.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
It is almost 130 years since the Bain\u2019s Kloof tragedy, which claimed four young lives in a story of both tragedy and 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