PHIPHIDI - Laughter turned to screams of terror as a boy climbed a tree, jumped into a pool and drowned in the Phiphidi waterfall on Christmas Day.

The boy was among the people who were at the Phiphidi waterfall for a visit on Christmas Eve. An eyewitness told Mirror that a lot of people were present at the Phiphidi waterfall. Most of the youths were swimming, whereas others were seated under trees, listening to kwaito music.

“As a joke, a young boy climbed into a tree near the pool, jumped into the pool and drowned,” said the eyewitness. “The police were called and on their arrival, the boy was already dead.” Many people, especially visitors, have already lost their lives in the Phiphidi Waterfall.

Meanwhile, Siloam Police have opened an inquest docket, after a car overturned along the Khalavha-Dzanani road on Christmas Day. According to information obtained from the motorists who were behind the overturned car, the driver lost the control of his car and overturned on the side of the road. The driver was taken to Tshilidzini hospital, and two passengers escaped without any injuries.

According to the Department of Transport, road accidents have decreased by 10% during this festive season. The department also congratulated those who complied with the request by the National Minister of Transport to switch on their headlights.