UPDATE: North N1 accident heroes
If it weren’t for the swift reaction of two mechanics from the north of Pretoria, the death toll for a horror accident on the N1 highway would likely have been higher.
If it weren’t for the swift reaction of two mechanics from the north of Pretoria, the death toll for a horror accident on the N1 highway would likely have been higher.
Christo Snyman and Frikkie Potgieter were on their way to a “call-out” on 27 September when they got caught up in the thick smoke from a veld fire on the N1 close to the Wallmansthal off-ramp.
Seven people were killed, trapped in a vehicle, in the mass accident involving six cars and two trucks.
“Suddenly, everyone started braking in front of us,” tells Snyman.
Potgieter said it was only when they stopped that they saw the horrific accident.
Snyman and Potgieter then got out of their car and immediately began helping the victims.
“There was an old lady who struggled to start her car probably because of shock,” said Potgieter.
“Frikkie then got into the woman’s car and pulled her car to the side of the road to get it away from a burning truck,” said Snyman.
Only then did they notice a bakkie trapped between the two trucks.
When they got to the bakkie, which had overturned, two men were trapped inside.
READ MORE: N1 closure after fatal multiple vehicle accident
Snyman and Potgieter helped them out and took one of them with an injured knee to wait in his car for the ambulance.
“His knee was swollen as big as a soccer ball. As he sat in our car, we gave him half a liter of coke to drink,” said Snyman.
“While we were helping the men, one truck tyre exploded,” said Potgieter.
Snyman and Potgieter were on the scene for about three to four hours, in which time they also helped emergency services and the police on the scene.
Snyman said if they haven’t stopped for lunch at a Steers before the time, then they could also have been one of the victims in the crash.
“The Lord held His hand over us,” they said.
Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites:
Rekord East
Rekord North
Rekord Centurion
Rekord Moot
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
