Second passenger in Corsa that collided with taxi near Brendan Village on 3 May, succumbs to injuries
Three children are still in hospital
EVANDER – Mr Temba Nkosi, who sustained severe injuries in a vehicle accident near Brendan Village on 3 May, died in hospital on 14 May.
He was fighting for his life in the intensive care unit of the Sunshine Hospital in Benoni since the day of the accident. He was the passenger in the front seat of an Opel Corsa that was involved in a collision with a taxi at the four-way crossing between Evander and eMbalenhle near Brendan Village.
A young woman was behind the steering wheel. She apparently collected Mr Nkosi and four children from their respective schools in Evander and was on the way home to Brendan Village.
Michael Vorbech (13), a learner from Laerskool Hoëveld, was rushed to Mediclinic Highveld in Trichardt, but died the same day due to massive head injuries.
Mr Nkosi and the other three children, Hlengiwe Mbeki (11), Prince Maumba (11) and Plmedi Maumba (16), were all transferred from Evander Hospital to Sunshine Hospital.
The Maumba siblings were admitted to the general ward and is still in hospital with pelvis fractures, a fractured leg and a deep gash in the head.
Hlengiwe who was also seriously injured, is still in the ICU at Sunshine.
Also read: [UPDATE] Accident between Evander and eMbalenhle
Her mother, Ms Elize van Wyk, said Hlengiwe is also a learner at Laerskool Hoëveld and was very good friends with Michael. She took his death very hard.
“She is also traumatised by Themba’s death as he was in the bed next to hers. She saw how he was struggling for life. I think she will need counselling after this.”
Ms Van Wyk said they take each day as it comes. She remains by Hlengiwe’s side throughout.
“I promised her the day when she came to me – she was only a month old – that I would never leave her. She needs me now more than ever.”
Ms Van Wyk said despite all Hlengiwe’s injuries, she is making remarkable progress.
“She has already been through two operations. Her spleen burst and had to be removed and her torn colon had to be repaired. Her pelvis is fractured in two places and she had to undergo an operation. She manages to walk a few steps with the X-frame on the pelvis, but she is in a lot of pain.”
Ms Van Wyk said another operation is due in three weeks.
“The doctors said Hlengiwe still has a long way to go and will not be returning to school any time soon.” Ms Van Wyk and Hlengiwe thanked everyone for their prayers, phone calls and messages of encouragement. “It means a lot to us,” she said.
Mr Nkosi’s funeral was on Saturday, 19 May.
