Beggar’s mum tells sad story
The mother of the beggar killed in Empangeni last week, speaks about her son and his journey
HOW does an intelligent young man, brought up in a loving home, end up a dead tramp on the city streets?
Cindy Crouse, mother of the beggar tragically killed in Empangeni’s main road last week, shed some light on why Raymond Charles Croft ended up down-and-out.
‘Raymond was an intelligent man who had a good job and led a normal life until September last year when he was involved in a motorbike accident’. Owing to his injuries Raymond was declared unfit to work on machinery and lost his job.
‘He suffered from bad seizures and was also on high blood pressure medication’ said Cindy, sadly.
‘But he met a woman, fell in love, and moved to Durban to marry her.
‘Things did not work out and he moved back to Zululand but unfortunately made a choice to stay with friends instead of with me.’
‘After a few weeks the friends kicked him out and that is when he ended up staying on the streets.’
Even though he refused to return home, he visited his mum regularly and would sit and tell her stories of how his life on the streets.
He said he earned between R20 and R30 a day, mostly from the black community, and was regularly beaten up by gangs.
Cindy tried to encourage him to change his life but allowed him to continue living that way in the hope that he would learn a lesson and turn over a new leaf.
After recognising Raymond’s bag and blanket from the picture published by the Zululand Observer, Cindy was shocked to realize that her son was dead.
‘It was his time to go, and I am glad in the fact that his death was quick.
‘My son did not suffer and I did not have to go looking for his body’ she said.
24 OCTOBER 3PM
THE beggar who died in yesterday’s accident has been identified as Raymond Charles Croft (47).
His family have since been notified of his death
24 OCTOBER 1.30PM
Call for action against beggars
THERE has been a call for traffic officials to ‘take action’ against beggars standing at busy intersections.
Zululanders took to Facebook today to voice their opinions on yesterday’s ‘Beggar’s bloody death’.
Anushka Makka said, ”These beggars are becoming a hazard on the roads and while I sympathise with their situation this has to stop. Will a tragedy such as this force the Traffic Department to take note and to take action?’
Chantal McNally wrote, ‘tragic and very sad. But the same guy walked onto the busy road at Andrews Spar intersection on Tuesday at about 4pm’.
‘He was all over the road and motorists were swerving to avoid him. Pedestrians should also be more responsible where they cross the road,’ she said.
She called for the ‘traffic police to charge pedestrians who are crossing where they are not allowed to be’.
Drene Joubert said there is another beggar at the same intersection today. ‘Something needs to be done as they put everyone’s safety at risk. Just think how the driver of the ambulance must be feeling, he has to live with that regrets for the rest of his life, and how traumatised it must have been for the witnesses’.
Rose Cox wrote ‘It is very sad that this man died.I have seen many people (adults and children) cross in the middle of the road instead of at the traffic lights. Do they not know the dangers of crossing in the middle of a very busy road where nobody gives a hoot about the speed they driving?’
‘Visible traffic officers on this road is a must. Or maybe some of those lovely road bumps that they love putting everywhere’.
24 OCTOBER – 9AM
Ambulance service responds to beggar death
THREE eye witnesses told the Zululand Observer the ambulance did not have any sirens or lights on while speeding through the busy intersection.
Hans Hartmann from KwaZulu Private Ambulance posted on the Zululand Observer Facebook page – ‘It is a great loss for any person to lose his life. Even more so when it happens to those who dedicate their entire life to saving lives. The on-board camera shows the robot to be green in favour of the ambulance, and shows the pedestrian stepping into the road, with his friend on the pavement trying to pull him back, but he breaks loose and walks into the road’.
‘The pedestrian then stops midway and steps back, the ambulance serves and the pedestrian then moves forward into the ambulance path again. All our ambulances are fitted with onboard videos and GPS tracking. We trust that the law will be given a chance to run its course, and the people involved not judged on hearsay. It truely is a sad day, and our condolences go out to the family’.
According to a City ward committee member, correspondence has been forwarded in the past for the attention of the traffic department, concerning the dangers posed by beggars at intersections.
‘I am appalled that day after day traffic officers ride past these people, who are blatantly breaking numerous traffic laws and are a hazard to motorists. ‘While sympathetic to their plight, it could easily happen that a vehicle swerves to take evasive action and even more deaths are caused.’
Within minutes of posting the story and video on our website and Facebook page, people responded.
Helene Smith said: ‘I almost hit a female beggar an hour or two ago as I was driving up President Swart street’.
Rialine Steyn commented ‘En daar was net gister ook ‘n ongeluk by dieselfde robot’.
Sian Quantock asked: ‘What is happening in this place? Just a few weeks ago I asked what driving courses paramedics/ security/ police take’.
Gina (BBM): ‘That is too tragic but the beggars sometimes don’t care how they cross the roads.’
Update to follow
23 OCTOBER
Beggar’s bloody death
THE danger of beggars operating at busy street corners was tragically evident in Empangeni today (Wednesday).
The man, whose name has been withheld until his next of kin have been notified, was killed whilst crossing the road near Five Ways Mall by an ambulance, reportedly speeding.
An eye witness said, the victim ‘stepped onto the tar and crossed the road when the ambulance ploughed into him’ ‘His face was smashed up really badly and he died instantly’.
Rescue personnel on scene confirmed that the beggar suffered severe head trauma.
Three eye witnesses told the Zululand Observer that the ambulance did not have any sirens or lights on whilst speeding through the busy intersection.
Please note: This video may be offensive to sensitive viewers.
I really feel bad for what happened to that poor man! But don’t put all the blame on him as I live near St. Catherines school and often battle to cross the street at the robots.People are driving like hooligans up and down that intersection They should rather build walkaway over that road so that we look after our pedestrians as well! Speed humps will also be welcomed on that road as the warning of cameras does not scare anyone! Thank you!
I am wondering what our traffic department is doing? It seems as if we are giving them all the ammunition but they are not using it? How come we as citizens see the mistakes but they turn a blind eye? In this town of ours you can park towards oncoming traffic, make a u turn where you want to, go over red traffic lights and don’t have to stop at stop street. WoW we live in a lekker town.
This was such a sad incident. The man did not have work
And was trying to make a living by begging.
No fingers pointed
At least he did no break in to houses and steal
And rob. May he rest in peace.
It is tragic if anyone dies. I think the ambulance driver must now live with the fact that someone has now died. But the man should have not been in the road.They are all over the place begging and that is sad enough.
I was appalled yesterday to observe a traffic official in his vehicle at this very same robot waiting at a red light and sitting right next to the woman who is standing begging!
So often people look at the immediate event but there is always a story behind every person breathing out his/her last breath. What would one do if you lost your job, the one you love don’t want you anymore. You’re parents don’t want you to move back? You end up with relatives that also kick you out? Where do you go? There is no place safe for these begars? Can the Government not do more to help them. Is running infront of a oncomming car not the answer at times? Then their side: they are in need, they want to have something to smoke, drink etc what if they start stealing from you and you only try to help? Will you keep that person on your premises or will there be a day that you just had enough! Will all the money that the government spend on fast foods surely by the look of things some of them can eat less and rather help the really helpless people?
I think it is a tragic story and very sad. In built up areas supposed to travel slow as any one can cross, an old person a child someone with a disability and always has to take care. I was fortunate to have everything when living in S.A. and always helped beggars by giving them food and clothes.Give these people shelter and food and show them you care, there is always a reason behind every story why they turned out this way. Not every is one strong and with some help and showing that you care will go a long way…and maybe turn their lives around.
This has broke my heart and the many friends raymond had here at home in england. Finding out how raymonds life ended has devestated us all we have a memorial page on facebook for him called st.aidans angelsx hundreds of old friends have happy memmories of an amazing lad who had a heart of gold. To you he was a begger but to us he was kind loyal friendly and is sadly missed. God bless you raymond x rest in piece sweetheart , love your friends from st.aidans x