About 100 people rescued from charter barge in distress in Hartbeespoort Dam

CAPE TOWN - About one hundred people have been rescued from a charter barge in distress in the middle of Hartbeespoort Dam in North West.

The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) said its rescuers were called to assist on Saturday evening, after gale-force winds wreaked havoc with the barge, leaving many passengers on board injured.

NSRI Hartbeespoort Dam station commander Arthur Crewe said, "The NSRI rescue craft Sea Legs and Rotary Endeavor were launched, and upon arrival at the scene, a number of patients with injuries, including children, were transferred onto the NSRI rescue craft, and treatment for injuries commenced."

Crewe said pumps were transferred onto the barge to drain water from the vessel.

"Patients were treated for injuries, and one lady was taken to hospital for further treatment."