Rescue services recover dead student in dangerous operation
IN a challenging operation involving two helicopters and police divers early yesterday, the body of a 22-year-old Kareedouw man was recovered from a deep gorge on his family’s farm on the outskirts of the Langkloof town.
In a tragic start to the new year, Johan van Huyssteen slipped and plunged about 60m to the near inaccessible bottom of the gorge on Hudsonvale farm at about 4pm on Monday.
The Stellenbosch University student, who was to study towards a master’s degree in agricultural science this year, was out horseback riding with his father, Herclé, his 19-year-old sister, Elanette, and three friends when the accident occurred.
After the group had stopped to water their horses at the start to a waterfall at the top of the gorge, the student slipped and fell down the gorge into a deep pool.
Emergency services, which had raced to the scene late on Monday, called off their operations due to bad light later that evening, but returned to the scene early yesterday to resume the search and recovery operation.
Police spokesman Sergeant Majola Nkohli said that by 7am yesterday two helicopters, mountain rescue, medical personnel and the police divers had launched their recovery operation.
“The military assisted by hovering the helicopter over the gorge and lowering divers about 60m into the water below. It was a very challenging rescue because of the rough terrain,” he said.
“By 9.30am his body had been recovered and airlifted out of the gorge and flown to Port Elizabeth.
“The body will be kept at the mortuary for a postmortem to be conducted,” he said.
Nkohli said an inquest docket had been opened.
Battling to control his emotions in the wake of the recovery operation yesterday, Herclé van Huyssteen said his family was devastated by the accident, with his daughter still having flashbacks of her brother falling down the gorge.
“His feet just slipped and he fell down,” he said.
“One of the guys had actually just asked whether it was possible to jump off the waterfall and Johan explained that it was not possible due to the rocks which jut out.”
He described his son as a hard worker who had done well in his studies and was about to study towards a master’s degree.
Van Huyssteen said he and his wife, Johanette, had decided not to go to the waterfall for the recovery operation.
“We decided to just remember him as he was and to rather hold on to the good memories with him and the good times,” he said.
Van Huyssteen said he and his son had “had dreams” about the beautiful waterfall and gorge – which they visited often – and that the area, despite the accident, would hopefully hold special memories for him and his family in the future.
A devastated fellow student, who asked not to be identified, contacted The Herald yesterday in an attempt to make contact with the family.
Speaking through tears, the young woman described Johan as a fun-loving and wonderful person.
A memorial service will be held at 11am on Sunday at Die Stoor in Kareedouw.
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