HUMANSDORP – A successfully executed joint recovery operation led to the discovery of two bodies from a milk cooling tank on a dairy farm in Humansdorp. The bodies of two dairy farm workers were found in the tank on Wednesday, prompting a multi-agency response.
Police spokesperson Capt Marius McCarthy said the joint recovery operation was performed at about 4.30pm on Wednesday. The South African Police Service Search and Rescue Unit launched the rescue operation jointly with Humansdorp EMS, EMS Training, and the Humansdorp Fire Rescue Unit, implementing a 3:1 rope system.
“Constable Emilio George, who was selected for his build, was equipped with a long-line, full-face breathing apparatus and lowered into the confined tank, beside the spiral cooling rod," McCarthy explained.
“Tragically, both bodies (employees of the dairy farm) were discovered face-down in the water and were carefully recovered through the narrow gap and transferred to EMS that declared both men, aged 27 and 54, dead on the scene.”
McCarthy confirmed that an inquest docket has been opened for further investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the deaths. The community is left reeling from this tragic incident.
