Grandma (89) killed in R21 pile-up
Ina Bosch was travelling to a church conference with two other pensioners when a drunk driver caused the accident that took her life.
A local family is mourning the death of Ina Bosch who lost her life shortly before her 90th birthday during a R21 pile-up on the morning of June 24.
Bosch was travelling to a church conference in Pretoria with her daughter Reggie Engelbrecht (66) and son-in-law (70) when the accident happened.
Also read:
• A ‘very drunk’ driver and not pedestrian caused deadly R21 truck crash
• R21 accident: Glen Marais dad and his daughter narrowly escape
Two trucks and three cars were involved in the accident in which two people died.
“This has really hurt us as a family because we lost my mother before we could enjoy her 90th birthday celebration planned for July 9. We also lost our vehicle which has been written-off,” said Engelbrecht.
A witness who narrowly escaped the accident explained how he witnessed a slow-moving vehicle in the left lane of the R21 South pulling in front of a truck. The truck hit the car and the truck driver lost control of his vehicle, which burst through the barriers into oncoming traffic. He said there was nothing the driver could do and that the truck collided with the side of the vehicle in which Bosch was a passenger.
“The vehicle that was out of control hit our vehicle on the right-hand-side and the fact that my husband is still alive is really a miracle. My mother died on impact as she was sitting on the passenger seat behind my husband.
“The whole scene was closed as a crime scene because the driver, who supposedly caused the accident, was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol. We still don’t know where our vehicle was taken to by the forensic people who are investigating the matter.
“We are still in a lot of pain and have lots of bruises. My husband’s ribs are still very sore,” said Engelbrecht.
Bosch, who lived in Edenvale with her son, leaves behind two daughters (66 and 64), a son (61), seven grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. She was eager to attend the church conference in Pretoria with her family.
“Members of my family joined us at the scene after they heard what had happened. I want to thank Charles, Charmaine and Francois who offered us counselling. I also want to thank people from the traffic department, ER24 paramedics and the doctor who stayed with my family on the scene. All these people gave us a lot of support,” she concluded.
Ekurhuleni Metro Police spokesperson, Senior Supt Wilfred Kgasago, confirmed a “very drunk” driver was arrested and would be charged with culpable homicide.
