Family of 4 Rescued From Dam After Car Plunges Into Water During KZN Winter Storm

• A father, mother, and two children were pulled from near-freezing dam water after their vehicle went off the R34 in northern KwaZulu-Natal
• The mother sustained suspected fractures among her injuries as emergency crews treated all four family members for hypothermia
• KZPA teams responded to six additional crashes in the same region within five hours as snow, rain, and ice made roads treacherous

KWAZULU-NATAL — Four members of the same family survived after their vehicle left the road and plunged into a dam during a severe cold front that battered northern KwaZulu-Natal on 10 August 2026.

According to IOL, the KwaZulu Private Ambulance Service (KZPA) dispatched emergency medical teams to Bloedriver Poort on the R34, where rescuers pulled a father, mother, and two children from water described as near-freezing. The mother sustained the most serious injuries, including suspected fractures, while the remaining three family members escaped with minor injuries. All four were treated for hypothermia at the scene before being transported to a nearby hospital.

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7 crashes in five hours near Vryheid and Newcastle

The dam rescue formed part of a broader emergency response across the region. Between 3 pm and 8 pm on10 August, KZPA crews attended six further collisions as rain, snow, and ice rendered roads around Vryheid and Newcastle highly dangerous.

A rollover on the R34 left three people with minor injuries. In Vryheid, a bakkie struck a tree on Kerk Street, leaving two occupants with serious chest injuries and fractures. A two-vehicle collision on the N11 at Ingogo resulted in further people sustaining minor injuries. Across all seven incidents combined, eleven individuals were injured.

KZPA spokesperson Craig Botha warned drivers to exercise extreme caution on road surfaces affected by the ongoing cold front, as conditions remain hazardous across the region.

View a post about the R34 accident on Facebook:

2 killed in KZN crash

In a related article, Briefly News reported on the tragic incident on the R617, where two individuals lost their lives due to adverse weather conditions, including sleet and snow, that affected road safety. As emergency services continue their investigation, motorists are warned to exercise caution and stay informed about changing weather conditions in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands.

Source: Briefly News