MBOMBELA – The young man who passed away in Mopani Pharmacy yesterday has been identified as a Lowveld High School grade eight learner.
This was confirmed by Mr Jasper Zwane, spokesman for the provincial Department of Education, as well as Ms Jane Wandrag, principal of the school. However, they would not disclose the learner’s identity and declined to comment any further.
A message was sent around via WhatsApp last night, which read: “We had a tragedy this afternoon. A grade eight boy by the name of *** collapsed this afternoon on the soccer field at East High. He was rushed to Mopani Clinic as it was the closest medical facility. ER24 was called and tried to revive him. Unfortunately he passed away. Please keep the *** family in your thoughts and prayers.”
According to an informed source who was on the scene, it was the soccer coaches supervising the game who took the boy to Mopani. “He had no pulse and it was decided to call paramedics to the scene,” the source said.
ER24 and Netcare 911 paramedics were among those who responded and tried to revive the pupil, but to no avail. He was declared dead at Mopani.
Ms Melanie Jackaman of Mopani said the pharmacy didn’t want to comment, due to “respecting the sensitivity of the issue”.
*** The name was disclosed in a WhatsApp message, but was being withheld because neither the department nor the school would confirm it.
11 May 2015: Man dies in Mopani Pharmacy
Mopani Pharmacy at Crossing Shopping centre closed its doors this afternoon after a man died inside the store.
According to an informed source who was on the scene, the man visited the clinic before passing away at around 14:30.
Clients who had to pick up prescriptions were helped outside the pharmacy. An employee informed Lowvelder that the pharmacy may reopen between 17:00 and 18:00.
She would not divulge any more information due to the sensitivity of the issue.
