Booysens hit-and-run victim needs help

Last month Douglas Kinnear (49) was involved in a hit-and-run accident and he is now semi-paralysed from the abdomen downwards.

The accident happened at night in Booysens at corner Chambers Street and Nelson Road. He said a car failed to stop at a four-way stop street and hit him. “It happened so fast, I didn’t see the car. I had the right of way as I was first at the four-way stop street.

“After the accident I limped back to where I stay in Chambers Street. The following day, I was walking slowly because of the pain and after sometime I couldn’t walk, I had to drag myself using my hands and bum to manoeuvre around,” explained Douglas.

He said after a week he went to the hospital where he was given only pain killers and he was told that Covid-19 patients are the priority.

“I’m in pain especially at the back of my spine. In this cold, I cannot even feel my feet. I am numb all over, as I have been dragging myself to move for over a month now. I sleep outside on the floor under a Lapa next to a swimming pool. “Being homeless is bad. However, now I don’t have legs to move so that I can fend for myself. My sister, Debbie has been helping me with food. It is bad, my situation is terrible,” he said.

Ward 124 councillor Mongameli Mnyameni promised to help Douglas. “It is terrible what happened to Douglas, However, as councillor of this ward, I will ask relevant stakeholders to help him as this is an emergency.

“Local social worker and Department of Social Services will come to help him so that he can get food, a mattress and blankets. They will also help him to get his file from the hospital and evaluate his position. I will also speak to the Housing Department to see if they can accommodate him,” noted Mnyameni.

His sister Debbie may be contacted on 076 061 9093.