3 Killed, 1 Officer Fighting for His Life After Being Swept Off South African Navy Ship by Wave

The accident occurred when a helicopter was transferring supplies to the submarine off the town of Kommetjie, said the South African Defence Department

The South African Department of Defence said Thursday that three navy crew members died and an officer is in critical condition after they and three others were swept off from a submarine due to a high wave.

According to the department, per the South African Government News Agency, the accident occurred Wednesday when an Air Force Lynx helicopter was transferring supplies to the SAS Manthatisi submarine off the town of Kommetjie near Cape Town.

All seven crew members were rescued but three of them were pronounced dead, “with one senior official in critical condition," the department said, per the news agency. The other crew members were being treated in hospital.

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“It is with deep sadness that the SANDF announces the tragic loss of three SA Navy submariners off Kommetjie on 20 September on board the SAS MANTHATISI,” the Department of Defence said in a statement shared on Facebook.

The three navy personnel who died from the accident were identified by the department as Lieutenant Commander Gillian Elizabeth Hector, Master Warrant Officer William Masela Mathipa and Warrant Officer Mmokwapa Lucas Mojela.

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An investigation into the accident will take place, the South African Government News Agency reported.

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In its statement, the Defence Department said Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Thandi Modise, acting Secretary of Defence Thobekile Gamede and other officials “extend their deepest condolences to the bereaved families, friends, and colleagues of the submariners who tragically lost their lives.”

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Additionally, four soldiers were killed and another two were critically injured Wednesday in a separate road incident near the South African city of Upington. The Department of Defence said in a statement via Facebook that a SAMIL 50 army truck was towing another SAMIL 50 when the truck that was being towed had a tire burst, resulting in both vehicles being rolled. The soldiers were ejected and a vehicle landed on top of them.

The department added the families of the deceased were notified.

Cyril Xaba, the chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans, expressed his sadness about the deaths via a statement posted on the South African Parliament website.

“The Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans commends the joint rescue efforts of the South African Police Services (SAPS), Emergency Medical Services (EMS) National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), the SA Navy and Air Force for their joint efforts in the rescue operation,” read the statement.

“The committee sends its heartfelt condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the deceased Navy Officers," the statement continued. "The committee is with them during this very difficult time and wishes the naval marines who survived the incident a speedy recovery.”

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