HUMANSDORP – Two dairy farm workers were found dead after a joint rescue operation successfully recovered their bodies from a milk cooling tank in Humansdorp on 20 May.

According to police spokesperson Captain Marius McCarthy, at approximately 16:30 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.

“Tragically, both men, who were employees of the dairy farm, were discovered face-down in the water and were carefully recovered through the narrow gap and transferred to EMS,” said McCarthy.

“Both men, aged 27 and 54, were declared dead at the scene.”

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

ALSO READ: Aunt allegedly killed six-year-old Abigail Prins ‘out of revenge’ against mother