Farmworker rescues policeman from drowning

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A Uitenhage farmworker rescued a policeman from drowning this morning, when the police vehicle he was driving was swept off the low lying Kruis River bridge into the river.

Farmworker and casual labourer Thulani Njoli, 29, who was walking to work at about 9:30am, saw the police bakkie attempting to cross the river when it topped into the river.

"A strong current swept the vehicle off the bridge and it started to sink,"  police spokesman Sergeant Majola Nkohli said.

According to police, Njoli waded into the water, opened the vehicle door and pulled Warrant Officer Ashton Mew - who is stationed at Kwanobuhle police station - to safety while the vehicle was sinking.

"Njoli took the police officer out of the bakkie and then bravely re-entered the water to collect the officer’s belongings, including a firearm,"  Nkohli added.

Within minutes of the incident the police bakkie was submerged under the water.

Local farmer, Case van der Touw also came to assist a short while later and used an excavator to pull the car from the river.

"It took almost three hours for the vehicle to be pulled from the water. Luckily, Mew escaped unharmed but he was shaken by the incident," Nkohli said.

Acting Station Commander Lieutenant Colonel Irene Bezuidenhout praised Njoli for rescuing Mew.

“We are grateful to see such goodwill and unselfish behaviour. Our sincerest gratitude is extended to this hero.” - Gareth Wilson