Update: Young woman suffers fractured skull when mortar crashes through roof

Felicia Klopper, who lives along Derby Avenue, sustained a fractured skull and an injury to her shoulder during the incident, which took place on Saturday, at about 11am.

The young woman, her mother Annelie Klopper and a family friend Michelle Fouché (20), were at home watching movies prior to the horrific incident.

Her father Rudi and younger brother Rudolph (15) were on a fishing trip.

Annelie told the Herald that Felicia had gone for a bath, and was sitting on her bed drying her hair, when the projectile crashed through the ceiling.

“The next moment we heard this loud exploding noise and the whole house shook,” said Annelie.

“I ran to Felicia’s bedroom and found her lying on the bed.

“She was in a lot of pain, but I couldn’t see any wounds at that point.

“When we lifted her head off the pillow, there was lots of blood.

“Felicia was saying ‘help, it’s sore, my head is sore.’

“Her whole body was shaking in shock.”

Annelie and Michelle quickly rushed Felicia to the Life Dalview Clinic, where she was assessed before being transported to the Life Glynwood Hospital in Benoni.

Annelie confirmed to the Herald this morning, that Felicia was in a stable condition, although she was “still in a lot of pain.”

The SAPS Bomb Disposal Unit removed the mortar from the scene and an investigation is underway to determine who fired the explosive.

An attempted murder docket has been opened at the Brakpan police station, as well as a charge in terms of the Regulating Explosives Act.