A devastating collision that claimed the life of 19-year-old Bianca Nortjé and left four others seriously injured on February 21 has sent shockwaves through the community.

Two of the occupants have since been discharged from hospital, while two remain admitted in a serious condition.

The group, in a Toyota Starlet, had travelled from an athletics meet in Barberton to fetch a friend, Chaandré Meyer (19), at Fairview Mine.

They were on their way to Jocks Boskombuis for lunch when their vehicle was struck by a Land Rover at the R40 and Sheba Road intersection. The driver of the Land Rover allegedly failed to obey a stop sign. Nortjé succumbed to her injuries en route to hospital.

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Mpumalanga police spokesperson Captain Mpho Nonyane-Mpe confirmed that a culpable homicide case has been opened and that investigations are underway. Meyer and a 10-year-old are recovering at home after sustaining serious injuries.

She told Lowvelder she cannot remember the crash, but recalls being on her phone moments before it happened.

“I got a message from a woman asking for my CV. I messaged my mom to ask if she had it, then found it on my phone. The last thing I remember was texting my mom to say I had it,” she said.

Meyer suffered a broken left shin, a fractured little finger on her right hand, multiple facial lacerations, a torn ligament in her right ankle, and received stitches under her chin and between her eyes. She is currently wheelchair-bound. She, Tristan Jansen van Vuuren (19), Stephen van der Lith (19) and Nortjé have been friends since Grade One.

“Bianca was one of my best friends,” she said.

The 10-year-old, who sustained arm and pelvic fractures, was recently discharged. According to the child’s mother, she is grateful to be alive and back home.

Jansen van Vuuren remains in a coma at Rob Ferreira Hospital after suffering severe brain injuries and seizures. His mother, Amelia Swart, said his condition has not improved.

“Tristan hasn’t woken up yet. He was breathing on his own on Sunday [March 1], but is now back on life support. He was also put back under sedation on Monday evening,” she said.

A BackaBuddy campaign has been launched to raise R500 000 for his emergency transfer, specialist treatment and rehabilitation.

So far, R279 896 has been raised. Swart thanked the community for their support and asked for continued prayers.

Van der Lith is recovering in the ICU at Mediclinic after undergoing spinal fusion surgery for fractures in three parts of his spine. He has also undergone surgery on his left wrist and right index finger.

His family has also launched a BackaBuddy campaign to raise R750 000 for ongoing medical expenses. His mother, Cindy, expressed gratitude for the community’s support and asked that he be kept in their prayers.

Donations for Jansen van Vuuren and Van der Lith can be made via BackaBuddy.