After being stranded for four days on an island in the Letaba River in Tzaneen, forty-seven-year-old Isaac Ratlhane has been successfully rescued by an SANDF helicopter earlier today.
Frantic attempts to rescue Ratlhane were unsuccessful for four days because of the raging river, which made it difficult for rescuers to reach him from the ground. One rescue team member was injured yesterday during the rescue mission.
When the ground rescue mission was declared impossible, the Provincial Disaster Management Centre activated the SANDF helicopter to reach the stranded man. At that time, the water level in the Letaba River was rising dangerously, threatening to engulf the island where the stranded man clung precariously for dear life.
Rescuers watched helplessly as the water level in the river rose menacingly towards the man and his island refuge.
To the relief of disaster management personnel and rescuers on the ground, the SANDF helicopter arrived and airlifted the man to safety, to receive a medical examination before reuniting with his family.
SANDF helicopter airlifted the man who was stranded in the Letaba River to safety