The Bloemfontein police have called off an intensive search for the body of a 20-year-old man who drowned in the quarry situated in Heidedal.
Sgt. Mahlomola Kareli, provincial spokesperson for the Free State Police, confirmed the suspension of the search, saying the police were monitoring developments at the quarry. The frantic search was initially called off due to poor light conditions on Thursday, 16 October, when the drowning incident occurred.
The police resumed the search on Friday, but were unsuccessful in retrieving the body.
Police divers, led by the Welkom Diving unit, were unable to retrieve the body despite employing various search measures. Kareli said divers had worked throughout the day to the point where it was determined that the body may have been carried by currents or moved to a deeper section of the quarry. The deeper section is estimated to be about 50m down.
He said an inquiry docket had been opened for an investigation into the young man’s drowning, whose identity is yet to be revealed.
Kareli said, according to information received, the victim and two companions went to the quarry to swim. The victim was quickly overwhelmed after he jumped into the water and tragically drowned.
This incident adds to the number of people of all ages who have drowned in this quarry.
