IOL A boy died after he drank a liquid he found in a cooldrink bottle while rummaging through refuse bags in the Eastern Cape. Picture: Bongani Mbatha African News Agency(ANA)
Image: Picture: Bongani Mbatha African News Agency(ANA)
A teenager tragically died after he drank a liquid from a cool drink bottle he found in the bin and died minutes later.
According to Eastern Cape police, the incident took place last week and an inquest has been opened.
"It is alleged that a 13-year-old boy and his father were rummaging through refuse black bags for foodstuffs in Zephyr Street, Bluewater Bay," said police spokesperson Captain Andre Beetge.
"It is further alleged by the father that the boy found a cool drink bottle with liquid in it. After he drank this liquid, he fainted and passed away on the scene."
"An inquest docket was opened and is investigated by SAPS Swartkops."
His father Alan Willard, in an interview with Newzroom Afrika, said every Tuesday he and his son Alti go to Bluewater Bay to look for food when people take out their refuse bags.
He said his son had found a cool drink bottle with a liquid and he drank it.
"He offered me some and I told him no son I told him I felt for tea. I don't want to drink cooldrink."
He said shortly after drinking the cool drink, his son began walking differently, and his eyes became wide.
Willard said he thought was making jokes but he then collapsed in his arms and died.
Willard said he began screaming for help to take him to the hospital.
He said he cried every night for his son.
The family said they did not work and had no income and relied on the goodwill of other people.
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