The waterfall a 22-year old man fell 60 meters down from on a farm near Kareedouw
“RIGHT now, we can only hope for a miracle.”
These were the words of distraught Kareedouw farmer Herclé van Huyssteen, just hours after his 22-year-old son, Johan, slipped and plunged about 60m down a waterfall on the family’s farm late yesterday.
Holding onto the hope that his son may still be alive, Van Huyssteen said the family should know his fate today, with the rescue effort due to resume this morning.
The accident took place shortly after 4pm on Hudsonvale farm, about 9km from Kareedouw, when the student slipped and fell from the side of the waterfall into a large pool of water below.
Johan, who is believed to be studying at Stellenbosch University, did not surface after the fall.
With heavy storm clouds moving in just before nightfall, the search for Johan was called off before 7pm, with emergency workers and a rescue helicopter sent back to their respective bases.
Sergeant Majola Nkohli said police divers would assist when the search resumed at 6am.
Van Huyssteen said exceptionally difficult terrain made searchand-rescue efforts very difficult.
“We will need a helicopter or will have to abseil down there,” he said shortly before the search was called off.
“The terrain is very hard and not much can be done now.
“Right now, we can only hope for a miracle.
“We should know where we stand by about 8am [today].”
According to a neighbouring farmer, who did not want to be named, the Van Huyssteens – who are long-established farmers in the area – had received a lot of support from other residents, who had rallied around to assist.
“From what I understand, Johan, who is a strong young man, his father, sister and two friends went horse riding,” the farmer said.
“When they got to the waterfall, they watered the horses.
“Johan then accidently fell off an embankment and down towards the pool. However, I don’t think that he fell directly into the water.
“I believe he may have struck another embankment first.
“I estimate that the pool is about 30m deep.”
Describing the incident as tragic, the neighbouring farmer said: “I can’t understand why the authorities did not send divers to the scene straight away.”
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