Concerned bystanders lined Murchison Street, in Newcastle on Wednesday, 2 October 2024, their faces etched with worry as the sound of sirens echoed through the air. An ambulance arrived at the scene, where a pedestrian lay on the road, her face contorted in pain after being struck by a car. The cracked windscreen of the vehicle bore witness to the alarming incident that had just unfolded.
According to the driver, she was proceeding down the road when, without warning, the pedestrian allegedly walked directly in front of her without looking.
Despite her frantic efforts to swerve and avoid the collision, it was too late. Horrified by the shocking turn of events, an urgent call for help was dispatched to local law enforcement and paramedics. KwaZulu Private Ambulance immediately responded, arriving within minutes and immediately springing into action to assist the injured pedestrian and check on the shaken occupants of the car.
Paramedics from KwaZulu Private Ambulance stabilised the patient at the scene and confirmed that, fortunately, the pedestrian had not sustained serious injuries, although they noted that the situation could have been much worse.
An official source at the scene further revealed that while the motorist had done her utmost to avoid the pedestrian, another vehicle was allegedly involved.
The source stated that a silver vehicle had allegedly caused the pedestrian to move forward into oncoming traffic before fleeing the scene just moments before she was struck by the motorist in question.
Local police will now investigate the matter and will also look into the vehicle allegedly responsible for this distressing incident. In light of these events, KwaZulu Private Ambulance’s Frikkie Bekker has called upon pedestrians to exercise caution when crossing roads. “It is advised to always cross the road at a safe intersection or zebra crossing. Additionally, pay attention to the vehicles on the road, as some motorists don’t always pay attention to their surroundings while driving,” he explained.
Despite urging pedestrians to make safe choices at crossings, Bekker emphasised that if one is compelled to cross a busy road without a designated intersection or zebra crossing, adhering to basic road safety practices is essential. He cautioned, “Before entering the road, always look left and right, make sure the road is clear, and that motorists acknowledge your presence.”
As investigations continue and the injured pedestrian remains in stable condition, what are your thoughts on the above?
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