Durban - The search for Durban woman Brenda Scriven, who was swept away by floodwaters on Monday evening, has been scaled down.
Tragically, there is no closure for her family but the search will continue for the 62-year-old who vanished after heavy rain swept her away after she had got out of her car in Sneezewood Road, Glen Anil.
She is thought to be one of at least six people to have died as result of the torrential rains which hit Durban this week.
On Friday night Marshall Security spokesperson Kyle van Reenen said: “An extensive search was conducted today throughout the uMngeni and uMhlangane rivers and banks by members of the public, as well as SAPS Search and Rescue K-9 with no result.
‘After a five-day search, the operation will scale down as authorities wait for further information or any possible sightings,” said Van Reenen.
If anyone has information regarding the whereabouts of Scriven, call the SAPS at 10111 or Marshall Security at 0861627732.
Scriven’s niece, Stacey Cruickshanks, on Friday said her aunt was driving home to Sunningdale from work when her car was swamped by water and as she tried to get out, she was swept away.
‘She was in contact with her husband before losing contact,” said Cruickshanks.
The search began for the mother of three daughters and grandmother to seven after her daughters failed to get hold of her and were alerted by a man who found her bag in the abandoned car.
Search volunteer Carol McEwan on Friday said the community’s WhatsApp group notified her about Scriven’s disappearance.
“I was devastated to hear what happened, though I didn’t know her,” she said.
“I’ve been amazed by the enormous support the family has received and the efforts put into finding her.”
Another volunteer, canoeing coach Lee McGregor, said there was no hope of her body being found in the river. “They’ve searched everywhere and nothing has been found. The flash floods were so strong that the wall of the sand was washed away. We’ve paddled down the river and I think 99percent, she will now be found in the sea.”
Meanwhile, 17-year-old Clifton College pupil Cameron White, who was hailed as a hero this week after he saved a Ballito woman from drowning in floodwaters on the M4 in La Lucia on Monday night, will be honoured on Saturday evening at Lifesaving South Africa’s annual Bravery Awards which will take place at the Riverside Hotel in Durban North.
The rescued woman, librarian Shakila Singh, on saturday said she was indebted to White for saving her life.
“I feel appreciative to be alive. Cameron has given me a new perspective on life. If I had wealth, I would give it to him. I’m really delighted that he’s receiving a prize, even though you can’t put a price on someone’s life, but I think it’s a little token for him and he deserves it,” she said.
When she met up with White for a radio interview for the first time after the rescue, she was surprised by his humble manner.
‘You don’t expect someone as young as him to be brave. It was God’s will that he was there because I can’t swim.”
Singh said there were a lot of bystanders who advised her to turn the car around, but White recognised that she needed help. “He was the only one who felt I was in trouble and assisted me.”
White had been travelling with his father when they spotted the vehicle floating in the floodwaters with the driver still inside. They risked their lives swimming through chest-deep water to get to the vehicle and get her to safety.
The car was then swallowed by the swirling floodwater.
“It didn’t look as if anyone wanted to help,” said White.
“There were people on the banks and others in vehicles taking photos and I just decided to go and help the motorist out of the vehicle.
“That night I went to bed with a smile on my face knowing I had saved someone’s life,” he said.
Independent on Saturday