HUMANSDORP – Two employees from Northfield Engineering died in a water-cooling tank accident at a farm in Humansdorp on Wednesday, 20 May.

According to police spokesperson Captain Marius McCarthy, at approximately 16:29 the South African Police Service Search and Rescue Unit jointly launched a rescue operation with Humansdorp EMS, EMS Training and Humansdorp Fire Rescue Unit, implementing a 3:1 rope system.

He said that Constable Emilio George, who was selected for his build, was equipped with a long-line and full-face breathing apparatus and lowered into the confined tank, alongside the spiral cooling rod.

“Both men were discovered face-down in the water and were carefully recovered through the narrow gap and transferred to EMS,” said McCarthy.

The men, aged 27 and 54, were declared dead at the scene.

McCarthy said that an inquest docket was opened for further investigation.

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