116 hours after clearing the rubble of the collapsed building in George, a man was found alive.
“Everyone wanted a miracle. A miracle has happened,” Western Cape Premier Alan Winde said in a video posted by Algoa FM News on Channel X.
Western Cape Disaster Management Chief Colin Diner explained that they spoke to the survivor who was trapped by a heavy weight of concrete slabs that had fallen on his lower body.
As medical personnel moved to the scene, Diener said Gabriel was constantly asking for water while he was examined by doctors.
He turned out to be a tile worker and was found on what appeared to be the third floor of the five-storey building.
Rescue workers cried and hugged each other as Gabriel was safely brought to the surface and loaded into an ambulance at the site.
People were heard chanting “My God is a miracle worker” and “Our God is alive” as the ambulance rushed to a nearby hospital.
Western Cape Health MEC Nomafrench Mabombo later said she was with Gabriel in the ambulance.
“Today we witnessed a miracle. He was taken to the hospital without any scratches or blood on him.”
SAPS issued a statement that Warrant Officer Willie Visser and police dog Abby led the rescue team to Gabriel.
Police spokesman Sergeant Chris Spies said Abby was assisted by her partner, SAPS police dog Lex, and Warrant Officer Ryan Le Roux.
