Motorist leaves young Secunda-man for dead
“I realised I needed help. I was bleeding and although several cars passed, no one stopped.”
SECUNDA – Mr Sihle Mahaye (22) is still trying to wrap his head around the fact that he survived being run over last Monday morning, 2 November.
“I remember thinking while being airborne, how unreal is all of this,” this young music man and photographer explained.
He sustained injuries to his right foot and there is a hole in his left bicep, but he is thankful that he did not sustain any head injuries.
Mr Mahaye was hitchhiking from Evander to Secunda at about 3am that morning, after a long night working as a photographer at the Nesto Lounge.
“I was hiking on the edge of the road behind the yellow line. I was well past the entrance to Evander and nearing the bridge close to the dumping site when I heard a car approach.
“From the shape of the blinding headlights, I figured it to be a VW Polo approaching. The next minute I just felt the impact and became aware that I was airborne. I think I blacked out when I hit the ground.”
When he came too, Mr Mahaye could not walk. He crawled out of the road. He could not find his cell phone or camera bag.
“I realised I needed help. I was bleeding and although several cars passed, no one stopped.”
He decided to struggle across the bridge to a trucking company on the opposite side of the double roadway to seek help. However, when he finally made it to the guardhouse, it was empty.
“I know it was a risk, but I needed help, so I struggled over the gate. The guardhouse was empty but open. I crawled inside, propped myself up against a wall and waited. A heater warmed up the small room and I must have drifted off.”
Mr Mahaye said the guard and another man woke him up.
“They were very suspicious of me but did try to call for an ambulance. After we waited for what felt like ages, I eventually convinced the guard to phone my mother.”
Ms Sonto Mahaye was shocked at the news that her eldest child had been run over and rushed to collect him. The clock was nearing 7am when Mr Mahaye was eventually on his way to Evander Hospital.
His arm was stitched up and was told to stay off his swollen and bruised leg.
Late that Monday afternoon after leaving the hospital, mother and son stopped at the place where he was run over.
“We searched all over for my cell phone and camera, but it is gone.”
The Mahayes have since opened a case at the police, but are not very hopeful that the motorist will be caught.
They have also decided to get a second doctor’s opinion as the ankle and foot are extremely painful and swollen.
