Durban – Tragedy struck in the eThekwini Municipality as a woman in her fifties lost her life after her vehicle was swept off a bridge during the heavy overnight rains that lashed KwaZulu-Natal.
The incident occurred on Sarnia Road in Pinetown, west of Durban, where the woman's car was overwhelmed by the surging floodwaters. Search and rescue operations, initially hampered by the dangerous conditions, resumed at first light on Friday, leading to the grim discovery.
Garrith Jamieson, spokesperson for Advanced Life Support paramedics, confirmed the recovery of both the vehicle and the victim. "Around 2 to 3 this morning, the vehicle was located just off Gordon Road. The rescuers and the fire department were able to recover the vehicle. Unfortunately, there was a single occupant in this vehicle, a female believed to be in her 50s, who had sustained fatal injuries and was declared deceased by paramedics on the scene."
The extent of the damage to the vehicle painted a stark picture of the intensity of the floodwaters. "We are currently on the scene as they are recovering the wreckage at the moment. The damage to that vehicle has been torn apart, as well as the river which has subsided substantially, but you can actually see how high this river went during the course of the storm last night," Jamieson added.
Rescue teams had been forced to suspend their search on Thursday night due to the perilous conditions created by the raging Umbilo River and the darkness. They resumed their efforts at first light on Friday, locating the vehicle just under a bridge in Gordon Road, off Stapleton Road.
"Rescuers and the fire department made their way to the vehicle, where unfortunately they found a single occupant, the woman believed to be in her 50s, who sustained fatal injuries," Jamieson explained. "You can see from the damage to the vehicle, which was torn apart, that the river, which has subsided significantly now, was overflowing."
Stapleton Road Update on the washed away vehicle. pic.twitter.com/e4vfgfGUlP
— AlsParamedics (@AlsParamedics) March 14, 2025
The heavy rainfall on Thursday resulted in widespread flooding across KwaZulu-Natal, affecting areas such as Kloof, Hillcrest, Springfield, Reservoir Hills, Isipingo, Verulam, and Tinley Manor. Jamieson noted that they had received numerous calls regarding waterlogged roads and debris blockages.
The road where the incident occurred remains closed to the public as authorities continue to assess the damage and clear the area. Jamieson urged motorists to exercise extreme caution on the roads, given the hazardous conditions.
KwaZulu-Natal residents have been urged to remain vigilant as a level 6 warning for heavy rains remains in effect for the province. The destructive flooding serves as a stark reminder of the power of nature and the importance of taking necessary precautions during severe weather events.
