Two youths died and another person was seriously injured in an apparent head-on collision 7km outside Ermelo on the road between Ermelo and Amersfoort last Wednesday afternoon.

Gregory Peachy and Mandiza Jeffrey Mavimbela, both 20, died instantly when the light passenger vehicle they were travelling and a bakkie driven by Mr Petrus von Wielligh collided.

Mr Von Wielligh sustained serious injuries to his legs and head. He was transported to the Ermelo Mediclinic by ER 24 paramedics. He was then initially transferred to the Eugéne Marais Hospital in Pretoria and later transferred to the Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg for further treatment.

The severity of the impact ripped the smaller vehicle apart, rendering it almost unrecognisable, while the bakkie was also severely damaged.

Traffic came to a standstill when police closed the road and cordoned off the area around the scene of the accident to allow clearing-up operations to take place. Later, wire fences of farmlands on either side of the road were cut to allow traffic to be diverted past the scene.

Police are investigating the cause of the accident.

Mr Von Wielligh’s head wound was operated on only on Monday and orthopaedic surgeons were able to perform an operation on Mr Von Wielligh’s legs only on Tuesday as his condition had before this deteriorated due to swelling of the brain and fluctuating blood pressure. He also periodically underwent dialysis to assist kidney function.

More operations await Mr Von Wielligh, the next being on Thursday or Friday.

His wife, Marianne, said since Tuesday he has improved and she believes he will recover fully.

“I’ve never had this experience before, but I’ve had a promise from God that Petrus will survive and be fully restored. I thank the Lord for all His mercy thus far,” she said.

She also expressed their gratitude to everybody who attended to her husband on the scene after the accident and to Dr Tommy Olivier who stabilised Petrus before he was transferred.

She says they have been overwhelmed by the support and goodwill received from the community, even from people she does not know.

“The workers on the farm have gone into overdrive and come together at my door to pray for Petrus. A neighbour has taken control of the guest house, as if it were her own. I simply cannot reply to every message at this time, but I appreciate each one and write it down,” she said.

A hospital visit to Petrus is not advisable at this time, but his progress can be followed on Facebook at Petrus von Wielligh Support Group which is regularly updated.