The bodies of two boys were retrieved from the Swartkops River in Kariega this morning, February 22, after they drowned whilst swimming on Sunday afternoon.
It is alleged that on Sunday, February 20, a group of six young children went swimming in the Swartkops River close to Taylor Street in Kariega. The group attempted to swim across the river when two of the children allegedly got tired while they were in the middle of the river.
Police spokesperson, Capt. Gerda Swart, said that one of the friends returned to help them get across and while assisting, both boys went underwater and disappeared.
“The group left the river and only after the parents started enquiring about the whereabouts of the two missing children, were they informed by the other children as to what had happened,” Swart explained.
At about 10:00 this morning, the bodies of Jerome Cowie (11) and Corné Boesak (12) were recovered. An inquest docket has been opened for investigation.
Police are urging parents to ensure that there is always adult supervision at all times when children go to rivers to swim, as in most of these cases the victims cannot swim.
