Bystanders rescue grandmother and grandson before car bursts into flames

The community have rallied in prayer and support following a horrific head-on collision last Thursday on the R102 between Ballito and Umhlali, which saw former So-High Methodist Pre-school principal, Hazel Lovett, and her grandson Jesse Raath (12) seriously injured.

They were pulled from the wreckage shortly before it burst into flames.

Lovett had just collected her grandson from Umhlali Preparatory when the accident took place.

Simon Glaister, a dad who had collected his daughter Sienna from the same school was first to stop at the accident.

“The accident must have happened just seconds before I got there. My daughter recognised Jesse, who is in the same grade as her,” said Glaister, who was among those who pulled the injured pair from the vehicle.

“Jesse was in shock and kept asking if his grandmother was OK.”

By this time other motorists had stopped to help.

With the car beginning to spew smoke, helpers worked with urgency to free Jesse from the car, but it was more difficult to rescue Hazel who was trapped with serious injuries, including a number of broken bones.

She was eventually freed after the door was pried open.

The medics arrived while the bystanders were trying to extinguish the blaze.

Jesse’s dad Neil said his son had only suffered a broken pelvic bone and no internal or head injuries, noting he was in a stable condition ‘by the grace of God’.

Hazel had however broken both her arms and ankles, her collar bone and knee.

She has had several surgeries since the accident and according to Neil, now just has to rest.

“We are just so relieved that they survived this horrific, unnecessary accident.”

Hazel’s daughter and Jesse’s mother, Kate wrote on social media thanking the community for all the prayers and support, and the paramedics for their professionalism.

Jesse was released from hospital on Tuesday this week, while Hazel will remain in intensive care.

The driver of the other vehicle was treated at the scene for minor injuries.

Police spokesperson, Lieutenant-Colonel Nqobile Gwala said a case of reckless and negligent driving had been opened at Umhlali Saps.

The section of the R102 where the accident occurred has previously been highlighted as dangerous by other motorists owing to the blind rise.

A second accident happened on that road on Saturday, seeing one person entrapped in the car and a further two people injured.

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