Accident claims life of avid motorcyclist

A motorcyclist has died over the weekend following an accident close to Pine Ridge.

Mr Ken Gould and his friend, Mr Wesley Grant was on their way back from a rally in Roedtan on Sunday, October 6 when the accident happened.

Mr Wesley Grant Jnr, who was on the scene shortly after the accident happened, said his father saw a dog crossing the road in front of an oncoming car.

“Knowing that the dog could go any direction when it gets a fright, he started slowing down to have enough time to swerve out if the dog decides to run in front of the oncoming bikes,” Wesley said.

When Grant reduced speed, Gould apparently hit him from the back.

The impact flung Gould in front of oncoming traffic and a car hit him.

He died on the scene. Grant is still in the hospital recovering from broken ribs.

“This accident is a huge shock to us all. Uncle Ken and my dad went on so many rallies and day jols. We were always teasing the two telling them they should leave a day earlier than the rest of us because they ride so slow. They were inseparable.”

Gould’s daughter-in-law, Ms Cecilia Gould said her father-in-law was the fittest 79-year-old in eMalahleni.

“He was always walking or riding his bicycle to the shop, or you would find him going somewhere on his motorcycle. He just never sat still for a moment.”

She said that after every rally or day jol Gould would bring the metal badge to his granddaughter that keeps them safely tucked in her drawer.

“When we went through his things to look for keys for his car, we found the rally’s badge. Celine said ‘I presume this is mine sponsored by grandpa’.”

Gould called eMalahleni his home for the past 43 years. He use to work at the electricity giant and took early retirement.

“I miss the phone calls and my dad’s voice on the other side asking me to help because he deleted his weather app on his phone, or his phone does not want to ring. I would give anything to hear his voice once more just to tell him how much we love him,” Gould’s son, Mr Richard Gould said.

A memorial service for Gould will be held on Saturday, October 12 at 13:00 at Hettie Smit Street.

For more information contact Cecilia: 082 568 3294