UPDATE: Son dies after fighting fire in the north with dad

The 23-year-old Henry van Wyk passed away in Kalafong hospital at around 20:00.

His father, JJ van Wyk (54), was still in a critical condition in Milpark Hospital.

The father and son team helped their community to try and stop a runaway veld fire that started in the Kromdraai area near Hammanskraal.

Tarien Cooks from AfriForum said it was not clear how the two men were hurt in the fire.

“A veld fire is extremely unpredictable. At any time the wind can change direction,” Cooks told Rekord.

Both suffered serious internal injuries.

Messages of condolences and prayers for JJ’s recovery streamed in on social media.

The Hero Burn Foundation, a non-profit company, was also raising funds to help the Van Wyk family.