In a devastating incident along Loskop Road just outside Estcourt, a five-year-old child lost their life after a motor vehicle collided with them. The heart-wrenching event unfolded late on Tuesday afternoon, 5 March 2024.
According to IPSS Medical Rescue, they rushed out to assist upon receiving reports of an accident involving a pedestrian and a car, but unfortunately, it was too late.
“On arrival of paramedics, it was established that a five-year-old boy had been hit by a light motor vehicle. Sadly, the boy was declared deceased on scene,” shared IPSS Medical Rescue.
The precise cause of the accident remains unclear at present. However, it was speculated that the child may have attempted to cross the road. While law enforcement investigates the incident, emergency personnel have stressed the importance of residents adhering to road laws and ensuring that children do not cross roads alone.
Charles Steyn from Magenta Emergency Medical Services highlighted the concerning statistics in Newcastle, where one to two pedestrians are struck by motor vehicles weekly, though not all cases are reported. “The main thing is, when it comes to crossing roads, pedestrians do not always adhere to the road act. There is a reason there are pedestrian crossings,” he emphasised.
Furthermore, Steyn pointed out that, in Newcastle, most jaywalkers are aged 20 years and above, taking risks after a night of partying. Schoolchildren also occasionally fall victim to accidents due to rushing across the road and misjudging the distance and speed of approaching vehicles.
Considering these sobering realities and the tragic loss of the five-year-old, Steyn urged parents not to allow their children to walk or cross any road alone. “Supervision is a must when a child has to cross a road,” he stressed.
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My sincere condolences to the the family and friends of that little angel who was killed on the road