Man missing after car swept away near Pretoria

A man is missing after his car was swept down a river in Honingnestkrans, north of Pretoria, on Thursday morning, Tshwane emergency services said.

A farmer living in the area called emergency services when he saw the car in the water with one occupant inside around 06:00, spokesperson Johan Pieterse said.

"We can see the vehicle. Just part of the roof is visible, but the flow of the river is just too strong so we cannot get in there. We are waiting for the water to subside to enter that area to go and look if we can find an occupant.

"Let's hope that man escaped without anybody seeing him."

The area mainly had gravel roads.

Heavy rain since Wednesday had caused flooding in parts of Gauteng. The northern parts of Pretoria were the most affected.

On Wednesday night, another car was swept down a river in Doornpoort. Luckily the occupant managed to escape, but emergency services were still looking for the vehicle.

"The water level is just too high and it's too dangerous to go into the water," said Pieterse.

A number of low-lying bridges were submerged and roads were closed. Blocked stormwater drains were adding to the flooding.

The bridge on South Street in Centurion had been closed because the Jukskei River was in flood.

Pieterse said there had been a major accident on the N1, near John Voster Drive in Centurion, involving a truck and three cars.

"Luckily the people escaped serious injuries, but it looks quite horrific. One car is lifted up onto the middle barrier and hanging in the air."

The number of "bumper bashings" had increased, especially in the Pretoria CBD.

"People are speeding, the roads are wet, they don't keep to the rules."

The city's emergency services expected to be busy throughout the day. Pieterse cautioned motorists to drive with their headlights on, slow down, and not cross submerged bridges or subways.

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