Attempted kidnapping traumatises teen from east
Llewellyn Ferreira, a learner and sportsman at Afrikaans Hoër Seunskool, took a jog around the block from his home when he was run over by a car.
A 17-year-old Pretoria boy is still traumatised after being driven over by a car in what his parents believe was an attempted kidnapping.
Llewellen Ferreira, a learner and sportsman at Afrikaans Hoër Seunskool, took a jog around the block from his home in Lynnwood Glen on Thursday, when he noticed a car driving past him.
“As the car was passing, the two occupants turned around and looked at him,” said his mother, Antoinette Ferreira.
“A block away the car made a u-turn and headed towards him. One of the men rolled down the window and asked him where he could find the Gateway McDonalds.”
Llewellyn sensed something was not right when one of the men got out of the vehicle and headed his way.
He outran the man and tried to head for safety.
“The guy got back into the vehicle and they started chasing him,” said Antoinette.
The men ran him over with their car right next to his home, but the boy managed to get up and open the gate.
Antoinette said the boy wrestled one of the men who was trying to drag him out of the yard while he was screaming. His screams sent the alleged kidnappers running.
She believed the men were looking to take her son as no valuables were visible and they tried to drag him out of the yard.
Paramedics were called to the scene where they treated the traumatised boy and transported him to hospital.
“The trauma had him throwing up and shaking and he collapsed right there,” said the mother.
“He is still traumatised but we are keeping a close eye on him.
“We were worried about his neck when the car hit him, but an MRI scan showed his neck is fine.”
The boy managed to get away with a few scratches, bruises and a stiff body and was recovering well at home.
As a hockey player for the province, as well as the school’s first team, Llewellyn wished to take a break from sports after the trauma.
“He is a very good sportsman and also plays cricket. We are hoping he will get back into it,” she said.
“Right now we are just focusing on his recovery and getting him ready for school on Tuesday.”
The concerned mother said even though her son wasn’t badly injured, things could have taken a turn for the worst.
She warned joggers to be vigilant and jog in areas that were busy.
“Where must our children exercise? I can’t tell anyone to stop because we still need to live,” she said.
“Carry pepper spray, jog in areas that are busy and be careful.”
She said the family was yet to open a case with the police.
Brinant security spokesperson Eric Becker said security personnel suspected that the men were trying to rob the boy.
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