Pretoria cyclist passed away after accident at charity race
A cyclist from Pretoria died late last week after suffering serious injuries at a cycle race at Sun City in North West, when a minibus driver ploughed into participants.
Wicus Kotze, an executive at Bestmed Medical Scheme, passed away last week following an accident at the previous weekend’s Bestmed Cycle4CANSA road race when a group of cyclists were struck from behind by a minibus.
Kotze who lived in Pretoria and worked at Bestmed Medical Scheme, received immediate medical care on the scene and was taken to hospital where he underwent emergency surgery to try and stop his brain from haemorrhaging.
He has been in intensive care at the Netcare Ferncrest Hospital in Rustenburg since. Tests were done last week, which showed no signs of brain function. This led to the decision to take him off life support.
Five cyclists were transported to hospital following the accident and three were discharged the same day.
Lourens Janse van Rensburg from Welkom suffered a fractured vertebra and underwent back surgery last week. The surgery was a success, his condition is stable, and his prognoses is good.
The driver of the bus was arrested at the scene and now faces charges of reckless driving and manslaughter.
“Our thoughts and prayers are Wicus’ wife, Marietjie, and the Kotze family during this very difficult time,” said race organiser Mauritz Meyer.
Meyer said Kotze was a formidable figure and part of the Cycle4CANSA family. He was well known in the cycling community and knew many of the race personnel intimately.
“He left an incredible legacy with the event. It’s very tragic that he passed away doing what he loved in a charity event which was close to his heart. We mourn his death and miss him terribly,” Meyer concluded.
Madelein Barkhuizen, marketing executive at Bestmed Medical Scheme, said Kotze turned 60 in June this year and has been in Bestmed’s employment since 1 June 1999.
“He has been a constant in the Bestmed family and a good friend to many. He also knew many of Bestmed’s stakeholders well and will be sorely missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and colleagues,” said Barkhuizen.
He is survived by his wife, Marietjie, two children and one grandchild.
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