GALLERY: Families miraculously escape fatal R34 accident
One man died as five cars and as many trucks were involved in a chain of accidents.
TRAPPED by an airbag, disorientated and in pain, Laurika Nel (16) struggled in the darkness to take in her surroundings seconds after being involved in a horrific accident on the R34.
Her mother, Mariette, watched in horror from behind the steering wheel as the engine compartment burst into flames.
‘My mom was praying, and she told me that immediately my window opened, as if in response. I didn’t see any of that, the airbag was right in my face.
‘I keep remembering how my seat was pushing into my back, I can hear the sound of the metal tearing. It’s something I will never forget,’ said Laurika.
Mother and daughter scrambled through the passenger side window to safety, and took in the absolute carnage of the scene.
Pile-up
Just after 9pm on Thursday night, Laurika and her mother were travelling back to Empangeni from Vryheid.
They were following Jaco Schutte, who was driving his Hilux bakkie with his wife Christel, their daughter Chanel as well as the Kriek family, Louis, Annelie and Chantelle as passengers.
‘We came upon an accident that had occurred on the road near Mfule River. A truck had jack-knifed and was blocking the road,’ Jaco said.
Schutte told the Zululand Observer how a man – later to become a fatality – came up to them to explain that there was a gap where they could squeeze through, between the truck and the barrier.
Shortly thereafter, another truck came barrelling into them from behind, smashing first into the Nel’s Jeep which then crashed into the Hilux in which the Schutte and Kriek families were travelling, nearly forcing the bakkie over the barrier and into a 20m drop onto the river bed.
Miracle
Christel described the incident as a miracle, as no one was seriously hurt.
‘My daughter Chanel had to get three stitches for a cut on her head. Laurika has a very deep cut on her ankle, but we all survived.
‘God held a protective hand over us that night.
‘Sadly, the man who had tried to guide us was not so lucky. He was crushed between the two trucks, sustaining fatal injuries.’
All told, five cars and as many trucks were involved in a series of chain accidents along the short stretch of the R34.
DID YOU KNOW?
Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.
For news straight to your phone invite us:
BBM – 25A0BF5A or 2B7993C8
WhatsApp – 072 069 4169
