Grief and frustration follow young engineer’s death

Messages of support and shock have been flooding in following the tragic death of a 23-year-old engineer, Lizka-Mari Nell, following an armed attack at a holiday resort and water park near Hartbeespoort on Friday, September 8.

Lizka-Mari Nell was enjoying a night in a tent with Nicholas Wincento, after the two had recently begun a new relationship, according to reports.

She reportedly worked in Centurion.

Nell died from complications resulting from the gunshot wounds she sustained in the attack on Monday morning, September 11.

She leaves behind her little brother, Tiaan, and parents Wanda and Barry Nell.

Those who knew her took to social media to express their shock and grief at the loss of the clever young engineer.

“Lizka Nell, an old Rammie, died this weekend,” said her primary school, Laerskool Randfontein, in a post on Facebook.

“She and her friend were attacked and shot at a campsite.

“Deepest sympathy to all her loved ones.”

Her high school, Hoërskool Riebeeckrand, where she was a top learner, shared its heartfelt condolences with the family.

Others voiced their frustration over how this type of crime could happen.

STRONG LANGUAGE:

Rekord contacted local police but did not receive a response by the time of publishing.

According to reports, the couple were sleeping in their tent when they heard a disturbance at about 23:00 on Friday night.

Wincento was shot in his right leg exiting the tent to investigate the disturbance, where he saw five men, some of whom were armed.

The assailants reportedly appeared to be leaving, so Wincento tried to get help from the neighbours.

But the assailants came back, prompting Wincento to return to the tent, with Nell still inside.

Wincento sustained another gunshot wound to his left leg and a back injury before the assailants fired multiple shots at the tent.

Nell was shot in her arm, chest, and stomach, after which the assailants fled the scene.

The couple was rushed to Brits Hospital at about midnight but were released only four hours later at around 04:00 on Saturday morning.

The couple returned to the home of Nell’s parents in Randfontein to recuperate, but Nell’s condition worsened.

She was then taken to Lenmed Hospital in Randfontein, where she was stabilised before being transferred to Potchefstroom Hospital.

On Sunday at about 22:00, Nell went into theatre once again, where doctors worked until 02:00, having found damage to her colon and small intestine caused by the gunshot wound.

She was placed in ICU following the operation, but died later on Monday morning, as she went into septic shock.

*Please note the article has been amended

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