Children Swept Away Holding Cow Tail In Flooded Rusape River

A desperate and tragic attempt by three schoolchildren to cross the flooded Rusape River by holding onto a cow’s tail ended in disaster on Wednesday morning. One child was swept away and remains missing, a second was left stranded on a river island, and only the third made it across to raise the alarm. The incident prompted the sudden closure of the Rusape Dam floodgates in a bid to lower water levels for the rescue.

Search Operation Underway For Missing Boy

According to a statement by government spokesperson Nick Mangwana, a search operation is currently underway in the Rusape River following the tragic incident on January 14. The children were attempting to cross the swollen river within the Rocking Stone farming area, downstream of Rusape Dam. Mangwana detailed the harrowing sequence of events.

“The children, attempting to cross the flooded river within the Rocking Stone farming area downstream of Rusape Dam, held onto a cow’s tail for safety. During the crossing, one boy was tragically swept away by the strong current. A second child became marooned on a river island, while the third managed to cross and raise the alarm.”

Emergency services and local community teams are combing the river for the missing boy.

Floodgates Shut In Dramatic Rescue Bid

In a dramatic turn of events aimed at aiding the rescue, the floodgates at the Rusape Dam were shut. Nick Mangwana’s statement confirmed this rapid response, which occurred before midday.

“Following the incident, the floodgates at Rusape Dam were reportedly closed abruptly before midday. The subsequent drop in water levels allowed the marooned child to gain safety.”

This decisive action by dam authorities is believed to have been critical in saving the life of the child who was trapped on the island, as the rapidly receding water allowed them to reach safety.

Authorities Issue Stark Warning On River Crossings

The devastating event prompted officials to issue a reminder about the dangers of crossing flooded rivers. In his post, Nick Mangwana emphasised the critical reminder this tragedy provides, especially during the current rainy season.

“This devastating event is a critical reminder of the extreme danger posed by flooded rivers. Please avoid crossing swollen streams and educate children on the risks, especially during this rainy season. We reiterate the message for people not to cross flooded rivers.”

Authorities continue to stress that no crossing is worth the risk of life, urging communities to seek alternative routes or wait for waters to subside.

Flipcash is Your Trusted PayPal & Crypto Exchange Partner in Zimbabwe — WhatsApp +263 77 163 9263