Shortly after midnight, paramedics from ER24, Bloemfontein fire and rescue services, and provincial emergency medical services (EMS) arrived on the scene where they found a boat wedged up against the dam wall along the Modder River, ER24 spokesperson Werner Vermaak said on Sunday.

"One of the men was found a few metres away from the boat with possible head and back injuries. He was in a serious condition at the time. The second man was found several metres further from the boat. It is understood that he went searching for help when he collapsed. He was also treated for possible head injuries and was in a moderate to serious condition at the time.

"The patient found several metres away from the boat had to be carried out from the embankment. Recent rain and uneven terrain provided a challenge to carry him out from the steep riverbank. It is understood that he was thrown over the wall where he landed on rocks several metres down the embankment."

Both men were later transported to Mediclinic Bloemfontein for further medical care. The exact circumstances surrounding the incident were not yet known. It was also not known at this stage how the two men managed to activate emergency services, Vermaak said.

African News Agency (ANA)