Four men faced a terrifying ordeal for several hours on Monday, clinging to a ski-boat that was left hanging precariously over the edge of a 40-metre dam wall in South Africa's Mpumalanga province.
A Terrifying Predicament at Grootdraai Dam
The incident occurred at the Grootdraai Dam, where the men's boat suffered a mechanical failure. Powerless, it drifted towards the dam's spillway, ending up balanced on the precipice with torrents of water rushing past into the Vaal River below. Emergency services, including the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), were alerted after police divers near the dam called for urgent help.
Rescue teams from NSRI Witbank and Benoni travelled nearly 90 miles to the scene. By their arrival, multiple agencies were present, including law enforcement, the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), health services, and other emergency responders. Yet, none could initially reach the stranded men.
The Critical Intervention and Daring Rescue
Unbeknownst to the approaching NSRI crew, a crucial action had already been taken. A DWS member had opened three sluice gates at the spillway. This created a vacuum under the casualty boat, alleviating the overflow pressure and preventing it from being swept over the edge. However, it also left the vessel trapped in fast-flowing water.
The NSRI launched its rescue craft, Harveys Fiberglass, from several kilometres upstream. Crewed by three NSRI members and a knowledgeable local civilian, the team approached cautiously. NSRI Witbank station commander Travis Clack navigated strong winds estimated at 12 to 14 knots, adjusting his approach to avoid being pulled into the same vacuum.
"The realisation was that my rescue team and the 4 casualties would only get one chance," Clack stated. The crew prepared a throw line with a soft rescue buoy. Initially planning to pull the men aboard individually, they quickly realised the water force made that impossible.
"So we shouted at them to all grab the throw line and to hold on, 'wrap the throw line around your arms and hold on tight,'" Clack said. After initial hesitation, the four men complied. The rescue craft then applied reverse thrust, pulling all four to safety in one manoeuvre.
Safe Outcome and Ongoing Safety Message
All four men were safely brought aboard and transported to shore, where emergency medical personnel confirmed they were uninjured. The ski-boat, however, remained lodged at the dam's edge as of Wednesday when the NSRI published its report.
The NSRI, a non-profit organisation conducting water rescues across South Africa, highlighted the complex risks and split-second decisions involved. The successful operation underscores the importance of water safety education and the coordinated efforts of multiple emergency services.
