GARDEN ROUTE – Two lives were tragically lost in separate weather-related incidents in the Garden Route amid severe conditions caused by recent heavy rains and flooding.

According to a Facebook post by the Garden Route District Municipality, a 64-year-old woman died in Blanco, George, at approximately 10:00 on 11 May after a tree uprooted and fell on her.

The municipality stated that emergency medical services responded to the scene, but the woman was unfortunately declared deceased upon their arrival.

In a separate incident near Klaarstroom at the foot of the Swartberg Mountains, a man who attempted to cross a river on 9 May was swept away by floodwaters.

The municipality indicated that the body of the deceased man was spotted in Meiringspoort on 11 May after his father searched for him.

Executive Mayor Marais Kruger said, “On behalf of the Garden Route, I would like to extend our sincere condolences to the families, friends and loved ones of those who lost their lives during these tragic incidents.”

According to Gerhard Otto, GRDM Head of Disaster Management, “Rivers, uprooted trees, breaking branches, roofing material and other debris may still pose dangers to both motorists and pedestrians.”

As previously reported, Lauren Fredericks, a Knysna social auxiliary worker, died on 6 May when a tree crushed her parked car during weather response duties in Knysna.

According to a statement, Fredericks had stopped to assess evacuated residents when the tragedy struck.

She served on the Department of Social Development’s disaster management team.

The municipality also shared highlights from 11 May:

• Restoration of access routes to isolated communities as weather conditions allowed.

• Continued clearing of fallen trees and debris on roads across the district.

• Ongoing restoration of electricity infrastructure by Eskom teams.

• Repairs to ten damaged power lines in the Kammanassie and Langkloof areas.

• Stabilisation and drainage work on the N2 near the KwaNokuthula turn-off.

• Continued landslide clearing operations on the R328.

• Water tanker support to communities affected by pump station failures.

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