'These are tough times'

2006-12-19 10:24

Bheki Mbanjwa

Pietermaritzburg - The body of a Pietermaritzburg teenager who was killed in a boating accident at Midmar Dam on Sunday was recovered at about 15:15 on Monday.

Police divers and rescue workers launched the search on Sunday afternoon following the accident, but it had to be called off in the afternoon due to bad weather conditions.

According to eyewitnesses, Clinton Aupiais, 15, slipped from the side of a rubber duck and fell into the water as the driver made a turn. Clinton's head hit the boat's propeller and he disappeared from view before anyone could do anything.

Joan Mindry, Clinton's grandmother, said the whole family was due to leave for an overseas holiday on Tuesday. She said his parents, Leane and Terry, were too distraught to speak to the media on Monday. Both parents were at the dam when his body was recovered.

Speaking from the scene on Monday, Superintendent Joshua Gwala said members of the South African Navy and SAPS divers from Durban had arrived to assists the Midlands Diving Unit with the search.

Gwala said police will investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. Clinton had just passed Grade 9 at St Charles College.

"These are tough times for all of us at the school," said principal Ronnie Kuhn, who said Clinton participated in various sporting codes at the school.

- The Witness