Off-road racer (15) dies following crash
The talented off-road motorcycle racer Ghislain van der Merwe (15) from Boksburg died at the Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg on Monday, April 4, from fatal head injuries.
This is after he was involved in a crash during a South African Cross-Country first-round race in Vryburg on Saturday, April 2.
Van der Merwe, who attended CBC in Boksburg, raced in the High School Class.
“It’s a big tragedy for everyone involved in cross-country racing,” said Siegfried Rousseau, CEO of the South African Cross-Country Motorcycle and Quad Championship.
“I’d like to again extend my sincere condolences to his family. We are thinking of them.”
The details of the crash are not clear. It is suspected the front wheel of his bike hit a rock, which led to the accident.
Paramedics were immediately on the scene, and he was later transported to Milpark due to the extent and nature of the injuries.
Van der Merwe’s funeral will be at the Trinity Methodist Church, Cresta Road, in Sunward Park on Wednesday, April 13 from 2pm.
He is survived by his parents Dean and Mel.
