Motorcyclist recalls horrific accident seven months ago

“WHILE I was brushing my teeth three weeks after being released from hospital, the whole scene flashed before my eyes – I remembered everything!”

Those were the emotional words of father and husband Jan Venter (27), who survived a motorcycle accident on the corner of De Wiekus Road and Drakensberg Avenue in Van Riebeeck Park on March 23.

EXPRESS sat down with this incredibly resilient survivor as he shared his long journey of recovery.

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“It honestly felt as if I was in a nightmare I couldn’t wake up from; especially not being able to see my seven-month-old daughter. I still have a long way to go but all thanks and praise go to our great and almighty God who saved my life.”

Venter suffered multiple facial fractures and received reconstructive surgery to his nose, jaw, eyebrows, sinus canal and cheekbones. His facial bones shifted 5mm.

He also suffered damage to his teeth, skull, spine, knee, ribs and hip and received surgery on his left shoulder and arm. He was on life support for 18 days and was moved to the ICU isolation ward for seven days, then back to ICU for another 18 days and after to a general ward – but in isolation – for five days, before he was released.

As a train driver for Gautrain, Venter could not go back to work as his hands and body had to move around to operate the steering system.

Recalling that horrible day, he said: “I had just finished work and was back home when I remembered I had to take a car part for my wife’s car to our mechanic. I got onto my bike, not thinking it would be the day that would forever change my life.”

“Travelling down De Wiekus Road, I can remember looking down at the speedometer. I was travelling at 80km/h. I don’t drive fast with my bike and always look out for other cars, as they often don’t see me.”

“As I approached the intersection at Drakensberg Avenue, a woman came from the opposite direction to turn right into Drakensberg. She cut the corner in front of me. I pressed my hooter and yelled, no! I tried to swerve but it was too late…”

Venter’s eyes filled with tears as he attempted to tell EXPRESS the rest of his story. His bike hit the front left side of the Hyundai Atos and the car was thrown onto its side. The driver did not sustain any injuries.

“Everything felt like slow motion as I was flung through the air and hit the road on the other side of the car. As I lay there, I asked God to please look after my family. And if that day was the last time I got to see them, I said I was sorry and that I loved them. I knew God would take good care of them.”

He then lost consciousness.

Venter’s helmet, which he had since 2006, moved up over his nose as he flew about 10m through the air before hitting the road. He described his helmet as an angel on his head, because it protected him.

“As I was unconscious, I heard two voices talking to me. It was as if it was the devil and God. On my left side, it was as if someone was threatening me and saying he was going to put off the machines and that my life was over. On the right side, a calm voice said over and over again that everything was going to be alright and I was going to pull through.”

“When I woke up in Arwyp, I was very confused. I couldn’t talk as my jaw had been tied to keep my teeth in place. It felt like my face was upside down. Luckily my wife was there and she explained I was in an accident but everything was going to be alright.”

During his first week in hospital, he underwent two six-hour operations and struggled with severe pain and high fever. Later nurses and doctors helped him sit up and he received physiotherapy daily to help him learn how to walk again and exercise his muscles.

“It was the worst feeling not being able to talk or move but most of all, I missed my daughter. Because of the isolation and ICU I wasn’t allowed to see her. I missed more than a month of my daughter’s life, but I had her photo and one of her shirts with me. It kept me going.”

Venter was released on April 13 and the reunion with his daughter and family was overwhelming and emotional.

“The journey ahead is still a long one but I want to live it fully in the name of my Saviour, God. I want to tell people my story and do what I always wanted to do: work on cars. I’ve got a second chance in life and I’m going to make it count.”

Venter took out his family a few months ago to say goodbye to his bike riding days and get to terms with what had happened.

“It was very important to me to let go on my own terms and I’m glad I could share it with my family.”

Venter wants to thank all the people who made such a big difference in his life and made this nightmare a bit easier. “To all my doctors, day and night staff, my physio Jaco, my family and all the community members who prayed for me, thank you so much – especially my wife, mom, dad and heavenly Father. I will never be able to thank you enough.”