Children among family injured in Vaal River boating accident

Two children are amongst the four people that sustained serious to moderate injuries in a boating accident on the Vaal River on Christmas Eve, 24 December 2020.

Vaal River boating accident

According to an alert by Netcare 911, the group were on a recreational boat on Thursday morning, when they collided with a submerged tree stump. The force of the Vaal River collision resulted in the two children being ejected from the boat.

It is yet to be determined if it is the children who sustained serious injuries from the incident. The family was taken to a nearby hospital – via ambulance and helicopter. Their current status is unknown.

Five lives lost in October

Over two months ago, seven people whose ages range between 30 and 45, were cruising on a boat on the Vaal River, Vereeniging from Three Rivers when their boat capsized, leaving five dead.

The South African reported the boat was taking on water when it capsized, leaving one dead, and four others missing. Eventually, authorities managed to recover all missing bodies from the river.

Gauteng police spokesperson, Mathapelo Peters said at the time that an inquest docket probing the incident had been opened.

Days prior to the death of five people at the river, six people sustained serious to moderate injuries when a jet ski collided with a boat at the Vaal Marina in Midvaal Gauteng. Two people were hospitalised with serious injures at the time.

READ: One dead, four missing after boat capsizes on Vaal River