An inquest document has been opened by SAPS Mount Road after the body of a 59-year-old man, who was a pizza delivery rider, was found just after 12:00 in the Baakens River. He had been swept downstream last night while attempting to drive through fast-flowing water in the Third Avenue dip.
According to police spokesperson Captain Andre Beetge, South African Police Service (SAPS) divers and K9 Search and Rescue teams had been searching the river since last night. However, due to darkness and the strength of the water, the search could only continue this morning, October 30, at first light.
He said the motorbike was found just after 08:00 this morning, and the body of the driver was recovered just after 12:00 further downstream in the Baakens River.
“His name cannot be released until his next of kin have been informed and his body identified by family.”
In a Facebook post made by Coastal Water Rescue (CWR), it was stated that the deceased rider left a pizza franchise outlet around 16:30 yesterday, October 29, en route to Lorraine.
However, he never returned to Lorraine.
“According to the franchise’s tracking application, the rider’s phone’s last ping point was in the Third Avenue dip; it is assumed the rider attempted to cross the flooding Baakens River with his delivery motorcycle.”
