Eight Bodies Recovered After Bakkie Plunges Into River In Heilbron

Eight bodies have been retrieved after a bakkie was swept into a stream while trying to cross a flooded low-water bridge in Heilbron, Free State.

Police spokesperson Loraine Earle says that on Sunday, passengers were reported missing, and their bodies were discovered on Monday morning.

Earle says the victims include a 71-year-old man with his wife and their three grandchildren, and their colleagues, a husband and wife together with their 2-year-old child.

The occupants left Heilbron on Saturday afternoon but never reached their destination. They were reported missing at Heilbron police station and discovered the next morning. Police divers and police search and rescue were summoned to assist. The investigation continues.