Accident victims appeal for eyewitnesses

THE victims of a horrific crash which almost claimed their lives are calling on witnesses to come forward with any information about the driver of the truck who was involved in the accident.

Thirty-year-old Alan Foster shared chilling details about the accident, which occurred on the N2 and M7 interchange on 19 June at around 9pm. He said, “I was travelling south on the N2 while on my way home and I took the Edwin Swales off-ramp.

“As I approached the interchange, the robot turned green so I proceeded to drive, and I then heard hooting. I was turning right towards Pinetown and the driver of the other vehicle that was involved in the accident, Eugene Gounden, was turning left towards the Bluff. The truck, which was travelling on the M7, failed to stop at both traffic lights under the bridge and drove straight through, hitting both our cars.”

Foster, an engineer based in Westmead, Pinetown who was driving a Volvo at the time of the accident, added, “People stopped to assist and thereafter the police, paramedics and firetrucks arrived at the scene. We are appealing for witnesses to come forward with any information about the truck. We are aware that the truck was a horse and trailer with a blue flat top, but we do not have any further information. Fortunately, I did not sustain any major injuries, just a scratch on my neck.”

Meanwhile, the driver of the blue VW Polo Playa, also involved in the accident, Eugene Gounden, sustained head injuries and tore muscle tissue in his chest. Sarah Gounden, wife of the 32-year-old victim from Merebank, said, “Eugene was taking the slipway from the N2 on Edwin Swales (M7). At the robot, it was a green for him to proceed, so he did. He had already turned onto the M7 on the far right and that was when he was hit by the truck.

“He was taken to King Edward for treatment. We appeal to anyone who has any information to please come forth to help us find this person.”

Nicholas Brignarain, an eyewitness who spoke to the Highway Mail, said, “I was on the M7 heading towards Clairwood and Alan took the Edwin Swales off-ramp from the N2 to get onto the M7. I arrived at the traffic lights and stopped, and in my review mirror I noticed the truck travelling at a high speed.

“The truck passed me and knocked into the two cars. The driver of the truck continued driving at a high speed. I stopped to assist both drivers.”