RESCUED FROM HIGH WATERS

A coordinated and lengthy search for a missing man on the Vaal River turned into a successful rescue when he was found after spending the night in a tree to escape the flood waters. By Cherelle Leong

When Station Commander Jake Manten of Station 22 (Vaal Dam) received a call on 3 January 2022 to search for a missing man on the Vaal River, his heart sank. He knew the conditions would not be favourable. Gauteng had been experiencing very high levels of rainfall during the summer and most of the dams and rivers were overflowing. The Department of Water and Sanitation had four of the Vaal Dam’s sluice gates open at the time, adding even larger volumes of fast-flowing water to the already swollen river downstream. During the summer season, the station had been activated for several similar calls and few had had a positive outcome. As Jake sent out the call to activate crew, he seriously hoped this operation would have a happier ending.

There had been several calls from concerned residents at Club 12 at the dam who’d seen a man in a kayak being swept downriver. On further investigation, it turned out that the missing man was Dirk Engelbrecht, the CEO of Wild Serve, a biodiversity conservation NPO. In a joint venture with the South African Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, Dirk had launched his kayak to rescue egrets and their nests of eggs from the rising waters.

It was mid-afternoon, and despite the longer summer days, there was a huge area to cover and only a few hours of daylight left to search.

Station 22 responded to the area, towing its rescue runner and equipped with the NSRI ARC inflatable and swift-water rescue gear. The volunteers were joined on the scene by the South African Police Service, including a police diving unit, as well as ER24 and Netcare 911 ambulance services.

The water was choppy and flowing very fast. Knowing how physically demanding it would be to helm the rescue runner in such conditions, it was decided the crew would rotate, taking turns to run search patterns and then swopping out so that they could rest in between search sessions.

Launching from the river bank, the rescue runner crew searched the banks and islands in the area. There was limited information on Dirk’s possible whereabouts and the swift water could have taken him anywhere. The one good thing was that the eyewitnesses reported he appeared to be wearing a blue life-jacket. That would hopefully keep him afloat long enough to be able to grab onto something more solid if he was swept closer to the river banks or one of the islands.

While the search was underway, eye-witness reports of a kayak capsizing further upstream came in, so the crew then expanded the search upriver for a further 45 minutes. The stormy weather conditions made for poor visibility and the coxswains had their hands full managing the rescue runner in the chop while keeping a lookout for anything that might resemble a kayak or a blue lifejacket.

The search continued as far downstream as Groenpunt Prison, but as the night closed in, the search was suspended. Having found nothing in almost three hours of daylight, it would have been dangerous to continue in the dark and practically impossible to find anything. With everybody feeling somewhat despondent but still determined, the search effort was set to resume at first light the following day. The crews went home to get some rest, knowing the morning would bring with it renewed challenges.

On 4 January, a staging area was set up on the river bank to coordinate search efforts. Station 22 was joined by SAPS, including a police diving unit, as well as ER24 ambulance service and members of AfriForum. A police helicopter also joined in the effort, to provide an aerial view.

A Station 22 (Vaal Dam) crew member eagerly awaits the arrival of the rescued casualty.

During the search, a kayak was located wrapped around a tree. This was good news, as at least they were able to narrow down the search area. It also confirmed that the eyewitness reports of a kayak capsizing were correct. But had the casualty been strong enough to pull himself to safety out of the fast-flowing water? That remained to be seen. When the radio at the staging area crackled to life with the news that Dirk had been found, everyone held their breath as they waited for information on his condition. A shout of elation went up when the news came through: he’s alive and well – cold, tired and dehydrated, but alive.

It had taken almost three hours of searching before Dirk was found huddled in a tree about 30m from his stricken kayak. Dirk recalls how hostile the conditions were and his concern for the safety of the rescuers as they tried to reach him. ‘After three repositions, they had to reverse very skilfully through trees into a convergence of multi-directional rapids, getting within 1.5m of the tree. Anything closer would risk collision. I had to jump.’

Once aboard the rescue runner, they all headed back to the staging area.

Dirk explained that after he had capsized, he managed to remount his kayak but then was hit by rapids that smashed him side on into a large willow tree. He tipped the kayak to take the impact, slipped under it and got swept downstream another 30m before ‘catching a tree’. Dirk’s perch was a mere 20cm from the rushing water below.

‘My biggest concern was falling asleep in the night. I was only able to wedge one foot at a time into the fork of the tree in a standing position. I didnt have enough fabric (other than my lifejacket) to tie myself to the tree. I started dozing after 12 hours, from 2am to 5am. This happened more than a dozen times and each time I jolted. Since I was standing, I would have fallen into the rapids,’ he says. ‘I was about 300m from either bank and in a dense treed area. If I had fallen in, I would not have made it out of “Hell’s Corner”.’

Despite his ordeal, rescuers noted that Dirk, although exhausted, was calm and alert when they found him.

The mood was celebratory when the rescue runner finally cruised to a stop and nudged the shoreline where the staging area was located. Shouts of joy and applause went up as Dirk set foot on the river bank. He took a moment to thank the search and rescue crew before walking up the bank to greet his sister, family and friends. Paramedics stood by, and during an assessment it was determined that, aside from dehydration and exhaustion, he was in good health.

Before venturing out to rescue the birds, Dirk says, his team was aware of the river characteristics. ‘We were informed and as best prepared as we could be. This type of rescue is our work and responsibility. We do not take it lightly and would like to stress that under no circumstances should a hobbyist or sport paddler risk getting into those water conditions,’ Dirk cautions.

For the crew who had been rotating the search on the rescue runner and those supporting from land at the staging area, it was one of those priceless feel-good moments. To be able to rescue someone and return them to their family alive and well is very special. Having a lifejacket had undoubtedly aided Dirk’s survival. The NSRI is proud to be able to work with SAPS, its diving unit and helicopter, Netcare911 ambulance service, ER24 paramedics, and the members of AfriForum, and is most appreciative of everyone’s efforts.