Tragic death of Elandspoort resident deeply mourned
Marthinus Opperman (74) was taken to the Kalafong hospital, where he later died due to a brain injury and internal bleeding.
The Elandspoort community is mourning the death of a beloved resident who died in an accident involving a taxi last week.
Martinus Opperman (74) died in hospital on Monday morning, after he was hit by a taxi, said resident Ismarelda de Bruin, who has training in first-aid.
“Oupies, as we all used to call him, was a familiar face in the community,” she said. The accident occurred in the very same street he has lived in for several years, Martini Henry Avenue.”
De Bruin said it was part of Opperman’s daily routine to walk to a local café.
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“I received the distress call of the accident on Zello [communication tool] and rushed to the scene,” she said.
“When I arrived at the scene, Martinus was lying on his chest and there was blood on his face.”
She said after a quick assessment she suspected that Opperman had suffered a spinal injury.
“I immediately summoned emergency services and used gauze to apply pressure to stop the bleeding,” she said.
“It is suspected that Martinus was thrown three to five metres when he got hit.”
De Bruin said Opperman was taken to the Kalafong hospital where he later died due to a brain injury and internal bleeding.
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“He was declared brain dead two times in the hospital,” she said.
She said the taxi driver assisted throughout the whole ordeal.
“The rumour making the rounds that he fled from the scene is untrue,” she said.
“He still contacts me to hear if everything is okay and if there is anything he can do to help.”
Local residents quickly took action after a plea of help was posted on Facebook asking for funds for Opperman’s funeral.
De Bruin said residents Frik de Bruin and Dawie Lubbe organised a pastor to officiate at the funeral service.
A resident who has been Opperman’s neighbour for the past 17 years, Bettie Visser, said the community was heartbroken after the accident.
“We were like a family in the crescent,” she said.
“Martinus was a good person, even though he was sometimes stubborn, he always helped where he could.
“We loved him very much.”
Visser said Opperman’s other neighbour, Dolla de Jager always made sure that he took his medication every morning and evening.
“We always helped each other where we could,” she said.
“He always joked and said he was not a hardware store when we wanted to borrow something from him.”
Funeral arrangements have not yet been finalised.
“His sister did decide though to hold the service in the street,” said Visser.
“Many people here don’t have transport and would really like to say goodbye to him.”
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