Westville’s deadly road needs attention
The high number of accidents on Dudley Road at the M13 off-ramp has fueled a resident to appeal for speed measures.
A MOTHER whose daughter was injured in an accident on Dudley Road at the M13 off-ramp in July has sent out a desperate plea for urgent intervention after viewing posts on social media about other accidents which occurred in the same spot.
Dianne Kendall’s daughter, Erin had to de-register for matric after the accident.
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“It was a terrible experience and my daughter is still struggling. She had a broken pelvis and her hip was out of joint. My friend’s son who was the passenger in the front seat had a badly broken femur,” said Kendal.
She said the Jaws of Life were used to help free Erin who was trapped in the car.
Eighteen-year-old Erin said music is the one thing that has been helping her cope after the terrible ordeal. “The accident changed my life. I get mini panic attacks whenever I hear that there was an accident,” said Erin.
Recalling the day, Erin said she was sitting on the back seat on the right side.
“The car hit ours and it flipped over twice. I had to grab and hold my friend’s hand as she has sclerosis,” she explained.
The teen who is still using her crutches said the incident changed her life as she had to de-register for matric but thanked her principal at Westville Girls’ High School, Russell Untiedt for his support and guidance.
“It would have been difficult to concentrate at school as I am on heavy pain medication which sometimes gives me memory loss.”
She added that she was grateful to the paramedics who responded and assisted. “There was a man who held my hand until I was safely taken out of the car, I did not get his name, I just want to say thank you,” she added.
Call for help
Kendall said a post from a lady shared on Facebook looking for witnesses after she also had an accident encouraged her to speak out so that something can be done.
“I was so shocked by the responses with many people sharing their own incidents at the same intersection.”
People also raised ideas of starting a petition to have something done about the off-ramp.
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“Many people mentioned that they have often observe drivers jump the stop street. Apparently, there have been serious accidents where cars have been written off.
“As a community, we need to do something to save a life from being lost,” she said.
Ward 18 councillor Melanie Brauteseth said she was made aware of the incidents by residents in the area.
“I have escalated the matter with the relevant departments, I will continue to follow up,” she said.
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