VANDERBIJLPARK – Hysterical cries, high-pitched voices singing hymns, flickering candles, and a crowd of mourners comforting one another.
These were the scenes that played out at the horrific crash spot in Frikkie Meyer Boulevard, where the lives of four youngsters were cut short last week when their Toyota double cab plunged into a giant tree after it lost control from hitting a pothole.
Hundreds of mourners, comprising friends, families, relatives, and the Vanderbijlpark community, gathered for a candlelight service for fallen Zinhle Ntshingila, Shanice Roderick, Lindelwa Mbangeni, and Samuel Mokhatla.
The area where the gathered crowds met was nothing short of a grisly reminder for families, emergency services, and the nearby residents who witnessed the horrific accident.
Families relived what happened on the fateful night when Emfuleni Fire and Rescue personnel had to retrieve the bodies from the vehicle using the Jaw of Life.
Speaking during the service, ELM Fire Fighter Elvis Motloung, who was among the responders on the night, described what he found moments after they received information about the accident, which happened less than five kilometers from their station.
“When we got here, there were bodies trapped in the vehicle, and they were already deceased. The engine was underneath the car, and the chassis was severely broken,” he said.
Motloung consoled the families, saying, “We hope the Lord will comfort you in these trying times.”
As family members were receiving calls, Lindelwa’s uncle, Ishmael Thiso, said, “When I received a call, I wasn’t in the region. When I finally got to the scene, I was met by a disturbing image of bodies. I described my niece, and was allowed to identify her. When I removed the foil inside the front seats of the vehicle, her body lay squashed together with that of the driver.”
One of the survivors from the night, Jabulile Ntshingila, formed part of the crowds with visible injuries.
Ster spoke to her father, Oupa Tshabalala, who explained the details of the accident.
“They were coming from North West University to fetch one of their friends. Unfortunately, on their way back home, they were involved in an accident when trying to dodge a pothole.”
Explaining how he learnt of the accident, Tshabalala said, “My daughter called her grandmother after the accident, who then called me. When I got to the scene, I was broken to see the condition of the vehicle and those young bodies trapped and scattered all over.”
Tshabalala said their families are struggling to come to terms with the passing of their beloved children.
“We are devastated because these were children with a promising future; they treasured education.”
The quartet will be laid to rest this weekend in different funeral services.
