MBOMBELA – Three local residents were seriously injured and two sustained light injuries in and accident on the N4 between Belfast and Middelburg yesterday.
It was confirmed that Mr Jaco and Ms Christelle Lubbe, their one-year-old son, along with Christelle’s parents Mr Chris and Ms Jackie van der Burgh were all involved in the accident. Jaco is better known as the owner of Induna Adventures in Hazyview.
He had sustained serious neck injuries while Christelle, was in a critical condition. By the time of going to press, she was still in a coma and was on life support. She had to be airlifted to Life Midmed Hospital in Middelburg. Their son, who’s name will not be disclosed as he is a minor, was discharged shortly after his admission to hospital. Jaco’s Facebook was flooded with messages from his and Christelle’s friends to express their support yesterday.
Chris was also discharged, however, his wife had to be readmitted but was in a stable condition. They are very well known in the Graskop community as the owners of Shalom Christian School.
It was confirmed that they had been travelling in the direction of Mbombela, on their way back from a wedding when the accident occurred.
According to Mr Moeti Mmusi, spokesman for the Department of Safety, Security and Liaison, the Toyota SUV they had been travelling in collided with a Volkswagen Polo before their vehicle overturned. The occupants of the Polo escaped without any injuries.
“We cannot confirm exactly what happened, but it is believed that the driver of the vehicle may have been distracted by another car, before hitting the Polo,” Mmusi said.
Induna Adventures says, “We are very sad, but we believe that they will get well soon. We believe that they will come out even stronger, not if, but when they recover. We pray that they will have a full recovery. We ask that everyone please keep them in their thoughts and prayers.”