The Hermanus family of four who died following a crash on the N2 near Heidelberg on Tuesday (July 7) has been identified.

According to Suid-Kaap Forum, Hermanus Primary School and Hermanus High School paid tribute to the four on their Facebook pages yesterday (July 10), and this morning (July 11), respectively, identifying them as Lara (44), Rudi (42), Izak (13) and Ruan (20) van Jaarsveldt.

The crash, involving a Toyota minibus and a white SUV in which the family was travelling, occurred 8km outside Heidelberg and saw Lara and Rudi declared dead at the scene.

Their sons were rushed to Riversdale Hospital, where Izak died later that day. It is understood that Ruan was transported to Tygerberg Hospital, where he was declared dead on Wednesday morning.

One passenger from the minibus, Michele Lombard (34), was also declared dead at the scene. She had been a resident of the Eljada Aftercare Centre in Oudtshoorn, a facility that cares for adults with intellectual disabilities, for the past 15 years.

Community pays tribute

Hermanus Primary School posted on its page that Izak had been a Grade 6 learner and asked that the public keep their family in their thoughts and prayers.

Hermanus High School posted that Ruan had matriculated in 2024. “We extend our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of the Van Jaarsveldt family as they come to terms with the profound loss of Rudi, Lara, Izak and Ruan.”

The school said it especially kept the friends and classmates of Izak and friends of Ruan in its thoughts and prayers, and prayed for strength for everyone who loved them.

It said a memorial service will be held for the family at the Dutch Reformed Church in Onrusrivier next Friday (July 17) at 10:00.

A family member, Deoné van Jaarsveldt, posted the following on her Facebook page yesterday: “With heavy hearts, we say goodbye to our beloved family. Although the pain is great and our sorrow runs deep, we are grateful for the love, memories and precious moments we were blessed to share together. Rest in peace, our beloved family, until we meet again.”

The Van Jaarsveldt family has extended its thanks to a doctor at Riversdale Hospital, known to them only as Dr Louw.

They said the doctor had worked on both Ruan and Izak and that she had been extremely supportive and helpful.

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