A WOMAN who survived last year’s Field’s Hill horror crash , Cecelia Shabalala, was killed in an accident on Anderson Road in Pinetown, last Thursday afternoon.
According to a report from the scene, Shabalala and a friend were standing on the side of the pavement outside Amway when a car lost control and veered into her.
The impact of the car flung her through the air and she landed motionless under a nearby parked truck. The 39-year-old woman was seriously injured and was rushed to King Edward Hospital, but died en route.
After the Field’s Hill tragedy on 5 September last year, she had two fractured legs and hips and required extensive surgery and, due to the nature of her injuries, she had since been forced to use crutches to get around.
Cecelia’s sister, Thulile, said that despite having to move around using crutches she was coping well. “It is traumatic and a huge shock to the family.
“It is very hard to accept that she is gone after surviving the horrific truck accident in 2013. It is a sudden loss to both her family and friends.
“It is a loss that does not make any sense. Sometimes life can be so unfair when things happen to good people. The death of my sister has left us, as a family, shaken and unsure,” she said.
Field’s Hill Helping Hands, an organisation that was started after the crash to help the survivors and their families, met with Cecelia a month ago.
“Karen Janisch, from the FHHH, said that Cecelia had been bed ridden for a long period of time and due to her injuries and a prolonged stay in hospital, she was unable to return to work and became unemployed.
“She stood in front of us and boasted about how far she had progressed. She looked so well and was enthusiastic about getting her life back on track. We were devastated to hear of the awful news of her accident,” said Janisch.
She extended her condolences to the Shabalala family. She is survived by her eight-year-old son, Sphesihle.
The organisation, in partnership with the Rotary Club of Kloof, is doing a collection for the family.
Bank: First National Bank
Account name: Rotary Club of Kloof
Branch code: 221526
Account number: 50730449226
Reference: FHHH Shabalala family (and you name)
