Globe-trotter dies in bus collision
He had returned to the coast from a work trip to Europe the week before, only five days before the devastating accident.
The South Coast community is reeling after a tragic accident claimed the life of Keaton-Wade Uys (29).
The former Port Shepstone High and South City learner, who was a first-team rugby and cricket player, will be remembered for his friendly personality and great sense of humour.
“He was a fiery person but had the softest heart in the world,” said his sister, Shan-Leigh Blignaut, describing her brother as someone who lived life to the fullest.
Police spokesperson Captain Petros Mpinge said Southport Saps has opened a case of culpable homicide after Uys died in a motor vehicle accident on the R102 in Melville last Sunday at 01:50.
“It’s alleged that two vehicles, a bus and a white SUV were travelling in opposite directions when a collision occurred,” he said.
Uys was born in Pretoria, grew up on the South Coast, and went to work in the USA after school. The travel bug bit him and he continued to travel the world while working on ships.
He had returned to the coast from a work trip to Europe the week before, only five days before the devastating accident.
His parents Frikkie and Lee-Ann Rae Uys said their son was a hard worker and an obsessed perfectionist when it came to cleaning.
“From the age of 12, he helped me in the restaurant industry,” said his mother.
Many locals will recall him helping his mother at the Prime Cut and Crayfish Inn restaurants, to mention a few.
“Keaton-Wade loved travelling and had many friends from around the world. Everybody loved him. He adored his nephew Quinn Panagiotis Manussos (3). Keaton-Wade was very close with his brother Nevada-Jay,” she said.
A few years ago, he helped save the life of an abandoned baby, having being alerted by the barking of his Jack Russells.
In one of his most recent posts on Facebook, he wrote: “Travel. Your money returns, Your time won’t.”
This was not the only accident last week.
The wet weather resulted in emergency services attending to several incidents.
Glen Preston of Med-Evac said that drivers forget that diesel and oil spills make the roads slippery.
He urged drivers to be aware of puddles and increase braking distance in wet weather
Saturday, August 13:
* Two vehicles had been involved in a collision on the R620 in Oslo Beach, during the early hours of the morning.
Craig Botha of Kwazulu Private Ambulance Service said one person was seriously injured and a further three people had minor injuries.
* Two vehicles were involved in a head-on collision on the N2 Southport just before 15:00.
Botha said four patients were seriously injured.
* Vehicle rolled on the R102 near Hibberdene at about 23:30.
Preston said six people were injured.
* At about the same time, Preston said two vehicles collided leaving one person dead in Port Edward.
Sunday, August 14
* A boy (4) was knocked down and killed on the N2 southbound freeway near Hibberdene at about 14:40. Netcare 911 attended.
Mpinge said it is alleged that the driver of the car tried to avoid the child by swerving but unfortunately could not avoid hitting him.
A culpable homicide case has been opened at Hibberdene Saps. “No one has been charged and the case will be forwarded to the senior public prosecutor for a decision,” he said.
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