Father and his two sons killed in accident

KOMATIPOORT – A family vacation ended in tragedy on Tuesday when a father and his two young sons were killed in a crash on the N4 between Komatipoort and Hectorspruit.

Heinrich Kieser (48) and his sons, Aldin (13) and Christiaan (15) were returning home to Pretoria from a trip to Mozambique when their car collided with a truck.

Eyewitnesses said the truck driver, who had been travelling to Mozambique, collided with Heinrich’s SUV while trying to avoid another vehicle. Heinrich was town planner and property developer in Waterkloof.

His sons were in grade seven and nine at Waterkloof Primary and Pretoria Boys’ High School, respectively.

The three had been travelling with Heinrich’s friend, Gill Clarke and her son Jordan (15). Gill sustained serious injuries and had to be airlifted from the scene. Jordan was rushed to hospital by ambulance. Mother and son are fighting for their lives in Mediclinic Nelspruit.

“Heinrich’s death is such a loss to the community,” said friend and business partner, Albert Smit. “He was a great town planner and friend who was always willing to help.”

Heinrich is survived by his mother, Meinsje, and two sisters. The truck driver and his co-driver were not injured.

According to the Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison (DCSSL), the driver will face charges of culpable homicide.

DCSSL MEC Mr Pat Ngomane said he was shocked and saddened by the accident, particularly as it involved children.

“The loss of one child is traumatic, what about the loss of two,” he said. “It is sad that such young lives had to be cut short in this manner.”