LYDENBURG – Three people, including an 11-year-old child, were killed and another two were injured in a horrific head-on collision on the Dullstroom Road last Friday.

The accident occurred around 06:35 and involved two vehicles, a Nissan bakkie and white Ford SUV.

A mother and her three children were on their way to town from the Vermont area when the driver of the bakkie tried to overtake on a solid line.

The boy, Ernst van Rooyen and the driver of the bakkie, Mr Anthony Tony Riley, died on impact.The driver of the SUV, Ms Hannelie van Rooyen, was trapped in the wreck and it took rescue personnel almost two hours to free her.She died while being airlifted to Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg.

The nine-year-old brother was also airlifted to a hospital in Mbombela. He has since been discharged. The youngest, a one-year-old, sustained minor injuries.

Also read: Two died, three injured in Dullstroom accident

Ms Naidene Massey and her husband Mr Daniel Kuipers, paramedics from First Respondent Community Medical Services in Boksburg, were the first people on the scene.

According to Massey, the bakkie passed them shortly before the accident occurred.

“On our arrival both the vehicles were on fire. The body of the driver of the bakkie was lying on the engine of his car. The truck behind us had a fire extinguisher and we were able to douse the flames. We immediately realised that the man was dead.

“We then removed the two injured boys from the SUV and covered the body. In my search for identification of the injured woman, I found a piece of paper with Kellysville Primary School’s number. I dialled it and the principal answered the phone,” said Massey.

According to the principal of Kellysville Primary School, Ms Beauty Johnson, she thought there was a mistake.

“I asked her to describe the victim and realised it was one of our staff members. I immediately called one of our colleagues and asked her to inform her husband. I tried to call her because I did not want to believe what I had just heard, but her phone just rang. I then rushed to the scene,” said Johnson.

The accident has left the community of Lydenburg divided. Some people expressed their anger on social media while others just wanted everyone to be thoughtful towards both families.

The Riley family lost a father, husband and brother. The Van Rooyen family lost mother, sister, wife, and a son and brother.

According to Mr Janu van Rooyen, Hannelie’s husband and Ernst’s father, he has lost an angel. “I always had my own angel on earth and I feel she was borrowed to us for just a short while. My wife was always humble, always saw the good in everyone and she was a remarkable person.

“Every morning before she left for work I would stand outside and wave her goodbye.

“I am so glad that we did that and I will treasure the memories forever.”

When Steelburger/Lydenburg News visited the Riley family, they expressed their deepest condolences to the Van Rooyen family for their loss.

According to Ms Jenny Riley, the sister of the deceased, she wished everyone could have had the opportunity to meet her late brother so that they could know him for who he really was. “I know he made a decision on the road which resulted in something unimaginable. If they met him before the accident, they would know that he was not a monster. My brother was my hero and everyone who knew him will tell you he was a good guy,” she said.

According to his 19-year-old daughter,Ms Charmone Riley, her father always wanted to make everyone around him happy.

“He gave up his life so that I get to live my dream of horse riding. He sold his bikes just for me. No matter how much he struggled, he made sure our family was always happy. I am truly grateful for everything he did for me,” she said.

On Wednesday, Kellysville Primary School held a memorial service to celebrate Hannelie’s life. Both she and her son were laid to rest on Thursday. The funeral service was held in the NG Kerk-Suid.

Riley was also laid to rest on Thursday. The service took place at the Old Apostolic Church.