News / National
Airforce of Zimbabwe rescues marooned trio
16 Mar 2016 at 05:37hrs | Views
THE Airforce of Zimbabwe was on Sunday summoned to rescue three people who were marooned on an island in Runde River in Triangle.
An Airforce of Zimbabwe helicopter flew from Thornhill Airbase in Gweru to rescue the three men who had endured two sleepless nights stranded on the island.
The men, whose names were not immediately available, screamed for help to no avail.
Acting police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Kudakwashe Dehwa said the trio was marooned on Friday at around 5.30PM while fishing in Runde River only to be rescued on the third day.
"I can confirm receiving a report of three men from Triangle who were marooned on an island while fishing along Runde River after a heavy downpour in Triangle.
"The three were fishing when it started to rain upstream. We're yet to know the identities of these suspected fish poachers," said Asst Insp Dehwa.
He said on Friday, William Mboma, 34, of Chahoba Resettlement reported at Mpapa Police base that he had spotted a man marooned about one kilometre from the confluence of the Runde and Tokwe Rivers.
One of the marooned men is said to have climbed a tree as he shouted for help.
Insp Dehwa said when police went to the scene, they realised that there were three men who had been marooned.
"Police failed to communicate with the men and called for help from the Airforce of Zimbabwe from Thornhill Airbase in Gweru.
"A helicopter then safely airlifted the trio on Sunday at around 5PM, three days after the incident," he said.
Asst Insp Dehwa advised members of the public not to attempt to cross flooded rivers or to be near water bodies when it is raining.
An Airforce of Zimbabwe helicopter flew from Thornhill Airbase in Gweru to rescue the three men who had endured two sleepless nights stranded on the island.
The men, whose names were not immediately available, screamed for help to no avail.
Acting police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Kudakwashe Dehwa said the trio was marooned on Friday at around 5.30PM while fishing in Runde River only to be rescued on the third day.
"I can confirm receiving a report of three men from Triangle who were marooned on an island while fishing along Runde River after a heavy downpour in Triangle.
"The three were fishing when it started to rain upstream. We're yet to know the identities of these suspected fish poachers," said Asst Insp Dehwa.
One of the marooned men is said to have climbed a tree as he shouted for help.
Insp Dehwa said when police went to the scene, they realised that there were three men who had been marooned.
"Police failed to communicate with the men and called for help from the Airforce of Zimbabwe from Thornhill Airbase in Gweru.
"A helicopter then safely airlifted the trio on Sunday at around 5PM, three days after the incident," he said.
Asst Insp Dehwa advised members of the public not to attempt to cross flooded rivers or to be near water bodies when it is raining.
Source - chronicle
