The ambulance was washed away by a strong flowing Keisie river near Montagu in the Overberg.(SABC)
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The search for an ambulance driver whose vehicle was washed away by a strong flowing Keisie river near Montagu in the Overberg, has been suspended. The 40-year-old woman was driving through Kogmanskloof when the Keisie river, which runs along the road, swept the vehicle along.
Earlier attempts to find her were hampered by strong rapids. More than 100 millimeters rains fell since yesterday in the area.
Authorities in the Western Cape, say they will monitor water, following severe cold and wet conditions
Unfortunately, the vehicle was washed away before they could reach her. A metro EMS helicopter in Oudtshoorn was dispatched to search the area.
Smith says they will have to wait until the water levels subside enough to resume rescue efforts. He says no patients had been in the vehicle which washed away.
"It's a case of just how safe it is to commit resources into the river. After seeing the video footage from the helicopter, we're not prepared to put any rescuers in the water. It's a needle in a haystack. The helicopter has flown the length of the river, if anything has gone down the route, they've been unable to locate anything as yet," says Smith.
