MOSSEL BAY NEWS - A brother and sister from Point High School managed to avoid possibly fatal injuries when the brother pushed his sister away from a vehicle that hit them both last Monday morning, 15 July.
This is according to their father, Gerhard van Rhyn, who said he saw CCTV footage of the accident that took place near Coins Park on Louis Fourie Road, Hartenbos, at 06:30.
He said the siblings, Karien van Rhyn (17), a Grade 11 learner, and Pieter-Ben van Rhyn (15), a Grade 9 learner, were hit by a vehicle when they crossed the road near Coins Park to catch their school transport that morning.
"The normal routine is that my wife, Magdaleen, drops them off there in the mornings, but last week on Monday morning a confluence of circumstances caused them to walk.
"From CCTV footage I have seen of the incident, it appears that Pieter-Ben tried to push Karien out of the way and took the brunt of the impact. He probably saved both their lives. Their own evasive action is the only reason why the vehicle hit them with the right front corner, and not fully on the front – which in my view would have been fatal for both," said Gerhard.
"Pieter-Ben has suffered life-changing open fractures to both his right tibia and fibula and after the removal of the broken bone fragments, a permanent metal rod was inserted through his tibia from his knee to his ankle.
"Karien has suffered a torn lip, a few broken teeth and torn knee tendons. They are both still bruised and sore, but they are recovering well and are strong spirited."
Gerhard said the inseparable siblings are both recovering at home.
"The amount of compassion that we received from the broader community is humbling. The Mossel Bay area is truly a remarkable place with remarkable people. My semi-permanent roots in Hartenbos go back to 1973, when I was three years old, but we have been living here permanently since 2016.
"Magdaleen and I are deeply thankful that our children survived and that the injuries are not much worse. We believe that our Lord and Saviour protected them."
Gerhard commented on Mossel Bay Advertiser's article posted on Facebook that he and his wife are still trying to get the names and numbers of the people who helped at the scene so the couple can thank them personally.
"The support we received at the time from Hartenbos Primary School and later continuously from Point High School and from the wider Mossel Bay community from friends, acquaintances and strangers, makes one humble," read the post.
"Many, many thanks to every member of the South African Police Service, the traffic authorities, the other emergency services at the scene and the medical services afterward. Many thanks to mothers who lent jackets, dressing gowns and towels at the scene to keep the children warm. Many thanks to every motorist who sat patiently in the traffic jam."
Police spokesperson Sergeant Chris Spies previously told the Advertiser a case of reckless and negligent driving had been opened by the Da Gamaskop police for investigation.
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