The drowning of two pupils in South Africa who were on a weekend school adventure camp is being investigated by the education authorities.
The boys, reported to be between the ages of 13 and 16, drowned in a river close to South Africa’s capital, Pretoria.
They were on an outdoor trip to the Rock Falls Adventure park and were participating in a water activity when the accident happened, according to local media.
“One learner suddenly ran towards the nearby river, close to the campsite entrance. A second learner followed in an attempt to bring him back,” the education department of Gauteng province said.
“It is further alleged that the learner who ran off jumped into the river, prompting the second learner to try and rescue him. However, both learners unfortunately drowned as a result.”
Emergency services said they had received a call at 15:10 local time (13:10 GMT) on Sunday, but the students were already dead by the time they arrived.
The education department says it will be visiting the school in the town of Benoni on Wednesday.
It wants to “ascertain more details about the circumstances which led to this tragic incident in order to determine a way forward”.