One year later: Revisiting Field’s Hill horror crash

TODAY marks a year since the tragic crash at the bottom of Field’s Hill which claimed the lives of 24 people.

Since the horrific incident there has been numerous truck related accidents on the busy motorway, and as of a few weeks ago, the truck restrictions were imposed.

Heavy duty (16 ton) trucks are not allowed access onto Field’s Hill during peak hour traffic times, from 6am to 9am and 4pm to 6.30pm.

Peach Piche, an avid Sanele May supporter, took to the group’s Facebook page yesterday and put out an appeal to all members to raise funds for SPAR vouchers for the crash victims and their families.

The vouchers will be handed out in partnership with the Field’s Hill Helping Hands organisation this weekend.

On Thursday 5 September last year a truck ploughed through five vehicles at the Field’s Hill Old Main Road off-ramp last year. Twenty-two people died at the scene while two others died later in hospital.

On Friday 6 September, SAPS Spokesman, Captain Thulani Zwane confirmed that a 23-year-old truck driver was arrested and charged with culpable homicide and reckless and negligent driving.

The Highway Mail interviewed a couple who filmed the accident taking place and they felt ‘very lucky to be alive’ and had ‘a new perspective on life.’

Jan van Zyl and his wife Carika narrowly escaped death that previous evening. “It is still shocking to think it could have been us. Those poor families who were waiting for their loved ones to arrive home, but never will. I am truly sorry,” said Van Zyl.

Shannon Charles, a well known paramedic and the operations manager for VEMA, opened up about the incident and described the crash scene as a ‘warzone’.

“When we arrived at the scene, I can’t begin to describe what I saw. It has to be the most graphic scene the Outer West has experienced in a long time,” said Charles.

Sanele Goodness May, the 23-year-old truck driver, appeared for the first time at the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court the following Monday, 9 September. His court case was remanded until Monday 16 September and his bail hearing set for Wednesday 18 September.

The owner of Sagekal Logistics, Gregory Govender, whose monster truck was involved in a horror crash, called a closed meeting with the press the same day may was due to make his second appearance in court.

At the meeting it was established that Sanele’s South African traffic register certificate was fraudulent and Swaziland officials had verified that May’s public driving permit was also fraudulent.

Theasen Pillay was initially instructed by Govender to represent May, but stepped down and an independent attorney, Professor Mdletshe, began his representation of the driver. May’s bail hearing was postponed to Tuesday 8 October.

After several court appearances the magistrate, Wendy Robinson, denied bail for Sanele May on Tuesday 22 October. She said that May had no ties to South Africa, no assets and no family residing here, besides a cousin living in an informal settlement. The case was remanded until Wednesday 27 November.

At the next court date, May remained in custody and witnessed the proceedings via a live audio visual feed.

Magistrate Chris Annamalai reprimanded the investigating officer, Sanjeev Singh, for the slow movement of the case and May spent his birthday and Christmas behind bars. His next court appearance was set for Tuesday 25 February.

May’s hopes were dashed when his trial was postponed yet again until Friday 28 March.

He made his first court appearance at the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court for this year and the case was adjourned until Wednesday 2 April at the request of May’s defence team.

May appeared at the Pinetown Magistrate’s court for the last time as the case was moved to the Durban High Court and was postponed until Tuesday 27 May.

Right after the court proceedings ended, a press conference addressed by the technical investigator, Tommy Rootman, took place. He said the truck that May was driving was not roadworthy.

Sanele May, was due to make his first appearance at the Durban High Court but was mistakenly taken to the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court. the judge, Shyam Gyanda, adjourned the case until Tuesday 5 August.

At May’s next court appearance it was believed that he could strike a plea bargain with the State. The case was adjourned until Wednesday 17 September.

Excerpts from two letters written by Sanele May (sic):

Yes at times I was down and out and didn’t want to live but through your constant faith and prayers for me I could face the world again; My prayers for you all is that God must bless you abondally with your friend’s and family’s.

You showed me love by being there for me to lift me up and encourage me to be positive and pray; All of you are always on my mind and constant in my prayers. Thanks to you all!!

Now on a sad note:

To the family of the people, mom’s, dad’s, brother’s and sister’s who lost their lives in that dreadful day!

I’m very sorry for your loss and I’m deeply sadden by what happened, it was an accident and it was never my intention to hurt or kill anyone.

A man was walking with God and was talking to him on the beach, looking back, he saw two sets of footprints in the sand after a while he looked back and only saw one set of footprints, He asked God, Why did you forsake me, I only see one set of footprint, God answered him telling him that he never left his side but that God is carrying him, that why he only saw one set of footprints, How great is our God.

Yes family’s although it feels that the world is against us and everyone blames you, don’t loose hope God is with us everday and will always be there as long as we pray! And I believe in Him.

I’m running out of words, what else can I say, may God bless you all and answer your prayers, Please keep me in your prayers for my upcoming court case this month, 17.

I believe God will prevail and take control of the situation.

Thanks for all the letters, I love you all and I will never forget you all for the rest of my life. May God bless you all.

In another letter:

I want to say to the families of the persons who was injured and lost their life’s, it was an accident and was never my intention to hurt of kill anyone. I am very sorry about what happend. This is and will haunt me for the rest of my life.

My condolence to all the families; only God knows why he allow this terrible accident to happen in our life’s; please don’t hate or judge me; I know that God never judged or hate me so i beg of u to also forgive me. may God bring peace into your hearts. All of this it will pass.

To everyone who supported me through this case, thanks for your support me and my family appreciate it.

Like the Sanele May Support Group Facebook page here.

Like the Field’s Hill Helping Hands organisation here.