Cape Town - Two men were killed and another injured on Sunday afternoon, in an industrial incident at a farm in Klipheuwel near Fisantekraal, Kraaifontein.
According to Emergency Medical Services group ER24, authorities were dispatched to the scene of the incident at around 1.30pm.
ER24 spokesperson Russel Meiring said ER24 emergency medical personnel and other essential service providers arrived on the scene after 1.30 pm and were led to a septic pit where the patients were reported to have been last seen.
Meiring said upon closer inspection, medics found one man next to the pit being treated by an on-site rescue official, while two other men were being extricated from the pit.
“Our medical officials assessed the men and found that one man was suffering from minor breathing difficulties while the two other men showed no signs of life.
“Unfortunately, nothing could be done for the two men, and they were declared dead at the scene of the incident.”
Meiring said the other patient who had breathing difficulties was treated and transported to a nearby hospital for further care.
“It is understood that the three men were working in the septic pit when the fumes overcame them. Local authorities were on the scene for further investigations.”
Police spokesperson Frederick van Wyk confirmed that police were looking into the cause of the incident and the death of the two men.
Van Wyk said Kraaifontein police had registered an inquest docket for investigation following the incident on Sunday afternoon.
Van Wyk also revealed that the victims of the incident who died were aged 33 and 34 years old.
He added that “five other victims were taken to a nearby medical facility for treatment”.
“A post-mortem will be conducted to determine the cause of death. We appeal to anyone with any further information that could assist in the investigation to contact the investigating officer Detective Const Nonabe of Kraaifontein SAPS on 021 980 5500 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111,” Van Wyk said.