Traumatised witness condemns Colgate runner’s horrific accident
One of the runners who took part in the Colgate Road Race on Sunday, May 3, was left traumatised after witnessing a fellow woman runner being struck by a car.
A 40-year-old runner was knocked down by a blue Golf during the race and was airlifted to hospital in critical condition.
Mark Easter said the horrific event has scarred him terribly.
“I’m an eyewitness to this traumatic event,” he added.
”I was running in the pack, between 5m and 10m behind the woman, when the attempted hit-and-run happened.
“What I witnessed today has totally broken my spirit once an for all; the woman was mowed down by a lawless person with absolutely no regard for human lives.”
Easter was shocked that the driver could apparently not see the thousands of runners on Atlas Road.
“He simply crossed the line of cones, just mowed the runner down and then still tried to drive off — come on South Africa, it is time to stop accepting this lawlessness,” he said.
Easter thanked the civilian who, with no care for his material possessions, followed the driver in the blue Golf and forced him off the road with his brand new black Jeep.
He also lauded the actions of another runner, who accosted the driver, by pulling him out of the Golf.
Netcare 911’s Santi Steinmann said paramedics received a call requesting assistance and, upon their arrival at the scene, found a 41-year-old woman, who had sustained injuries after she was knocked down by a motor vehicle.
“Upon assessment of the injured woman, paramedics found that she had sustained critical injuries and the Netcare helicopter was activated to airlift her to hospital,” said Steinmann.
According to a spokesperson for the Boksburg Athletic Club, the woman is recovering in hospital and they are in close contact with her family.
“Our priority is her well-being and we wish our fellow-athlete a speedy recovery from her injuries,” said race organiser Linda Vogel.
“We wish to express our shock and sadness regarding the accident in which the runner from Roodepoort Athletic Club was knocked down during the race.
“We are grateful for the assistance she received at the scene of the accident, from all concerned, and we wish to thank the running community for their support for her.
“Our thoughts are with her, her family, her club mates and her fellow runners during this difficult time.”
The EMPD’s Thabiso Makgato confirmed that the driver tried to flee after knocking down the woman, but was pushed off the road by members of public.
“The driver was tested and found to be drunk. He was arrested by the EMPD,” he said.
A case has of drunken driving, reckless and negligent behaviour and trying to flee the accident scene has been opened against the driver.
