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MAKHEWU – An elderly woman died instantly in a collision with a Toyota Quantum in Mvembili, North Hoho yesterday morning..
Seven people survived the accident which took place near the Good Shepherd Catholic Hospital (GSCH) in Sitki. Betty Ginindza, who was in her 60s, died when the kombi she was driving, which was heading to Maphungwane, lost control on a bend and hit a tree before overturning while descending a hill near the hospital. The elderly woman died while attending a funeral. Three men and two women were admitted to the hospital and taken to theatre for X-rays. Two passengers were treated and released. The patients had deep cuts and bruises on their bodies while others complained of pain.
eyewitness
According to witnesses, the minibus was travelling down the hill at high speed and as it approached a bend near the hospital, the driver lost control and hit a tree. Witnesses said that security guards at the hospital’s two gates immediately raised the alarm and paramedics quickly arrived at the scene to assist the passengers. “The elderly woman was unresponsive and was declared dead on the spot while others were pulled out of the minibus and taken to hospital,” the eyewitness said. GSCH senior medical officer Kiron Koshy said that unfortunately, one person died on the spot while five were admitted to the hospital while two were discharged after treatment. The SMO said the hospital is very close to the accident site and the quick response of health officials to the accident site saved the lives of other surviving patients who were helped quickly. Koshy mentioned that the minibus lost control on a bend near the hospital and overturned.
“We did everything we could to save the lives of others. As an institution, we would like to extend our sincerest condolences to the families of the deceased,” he said. One of the survivors, Zweli Dlamini (36) of Ngwane Park, Manzini, sustained injuries to his head and neck, bruises on his face around his eyes and on his right hand. Zweli claimed that the kombi driver was travelling down the hill at high speed and when he reached a bend he failed to control the vehicle causing it to overturn. He said he had just returned from a funeral in Magwanyana. “Thank God I survived, my serious injuries are deep cuts on my head and eyes. Others were also seriously injured,” he said.
abdomen
Another survivor, Sithembiso Dlamini, had stitches shut in his abdomen. His mother, Chazile Ndwandwe, said she received a call that her son was in hospital and she had to rush to the health facility to check on him. She said she is still traumatised as her son is still unable to speak after undergoing surgery in the operating theatre. “I prayed to God to save my son as he was going to work when the accident happened,” she said. The late Ginindza’s son, Themba Msibi, said he is still in shock and trauma over his mother’s death. Msibi said he received a call from a police officer who did not open the door when conveying the sad news to him. He mentioned that the officer only called to inform him that there had been an accident but did not disclose that his mother had passed away.
“I came to know about my mother’s death after I contacted my relatives. Our family is still in shock as she was in good health before her death,” he said.
Lugongolweni MP Joseph Sousa expressed his condolences to Jininza’s family. The MP said it was regrettable that road accidents continued to claim lives. Sousa urged public transport operators to ensure their vehicles were roadworthy to avoid such accidents. “I was also shocked to learn that someone lost their life near the Good Shepherd (Catholic Hospital). We hope that the government will build speed bumps to control the speed when going down the hill,” he said. Police Commissioner Information and Communications Officer Senior Superintendent Phindile Vilakati said an elderly woman died at the scene. Virakati said five of them were hospitalized and two were released after receiving treatment.
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