The Courier’s top 10 stories of 2018
Here is a look at our top 10 stories that made headlines this year.
Another year is coming to an end, and it’s time to look back and reflect on all that has happened in the busy Courier newsroom in the last 12 months.
Apart from putting together dozens of bumper editions, the Courier website has had another busy year online, with over 1 million people visiting our website.
We received just under 3 million pageviews on the hundreds of articles published by our hardworking team.
Here is a look at our top 10 stories that made headlines this year:
1. VIDEO: Bakkie goes for early morning swim at Salmon Bay
37 460 pageviews
Dirk Kriel of the Ballito Ski Boat Club was helping his friend Herman Labuschagne launch his boat at Salmon Bay on January 22, when mighty Poseidon decided he had other plans.
Pushing the boat into the surf with Labuschagne’s Hilux, Kriel found himself window-deep in the surf.
Read the full story HERE.
2. Another car stoned from Boy’s Town bridge
27 973 pageviews
Despite increasing outrage and renewed efforts from police and security companies, yet another car was stoned on the North Coast on January 12.
Read the full story HERE.
3. Man hijacked, kidnapped at Salt Rock off-ramp
21 662 pageviews
A regular Tuesday evening drive home turned into a nightmare for a Brettenwood resident when he was hijacked and kidnapped at the Salt Rock N2 off-ramp on April 24.
Read the full story HERE.
4. Spinal surgery breakthrough for KZN
21 476 pageviews
Nurses and doctors applauded in awe as they watched the first endoscopic spinal surgery patient get out of bed and walk mere hours post-surgery in KZN in May this year.
Simbithi resident and founder of Q-Surgical in Umhlanga, Hannes Joubert said they are the only company in the country that can do this new procedure.
Read the full story HERE.
5. Sharks Board prepare as sardines move towards Durban
20 870 pageviews
Pods of up to 200 dolphins and a frenzy of shark activity followed the sardines up the coast, to add to the excitement of hauls of the little fish being netted on the beach on June 22.
Read the full story HERE.
6. Mother and child attacked on Darnall farm – KwaDukuza
18 876 pageviews
The wife of a sugarcane farmer was brutally attacked with a cane knife while trying to shield her daughter in Darnall on September 3.
Read the full story HERE.
7. Body found at Umhlanga beach believed to be missing Stanger man
18 696 pageviews
A decomposing body believed to belong to a missing Stanger resident was found floating in the sea by fishermen near Umhlanga main beach on March 2.
Pravesh Sooknandun (44) was last seen when he dropped his daughters off at Glenhills Secondary School.
Read the full story HERE.
8. ALERT: All beaches closed to swimmers
17 606 pageviews
A wage dispute between the KZN Sharks Board and its employees led to the closure of all of KZN’s swimming beaches on July 25.
Read the full story HERE.
9. The dirty little weight loss secret
17 571 pageveiws
The online product, Secret Fat Burner promised to be a quick fix without a strict diet or going to gym, but instead of weight loss, you were likely to have health problems added to the scale. (March 21)
Read the full story HERE.
10. Distemper virus confirmed in KZN – and there’s no cure
17 336 pageviews
Death is inevitable if your dog has been infected with the distemper virus, Scott Vet’s Dr Debi Subramanian emphasised.
According to Dr Subramanian, the virus was very similar to rabies, and dog owners were warned to exercise extreme caution. (April 12)
Read the full story HERE.
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