‘GATEWAY have been far from benevolent and could not be bothered.’ That’s according to the lawyer of a Pietermaritzburg family lawyer who got the shock of their lives when a massive glass came crashing down onto them at one of Durban’s busiest shopping centres – Gateway Theatre of Shopping. Surendra Singh, was responding to questions surrounding the freak accident which occurred on Saturday.
Five members of the Maharaj family suffered severe lacerations and bruising after a glass panel from a skylight dome fell onto them, shattering and showering them in glass pieces. They were on the lower floor (near Checkers) of the shopping centre when the incident occurred. Leela Maharaj’s daughter, Tasha (24) was seriously injured and received nine stitches to an open wound on her head that was gushing blood.
Singh said it was a miracle the family survived but added that Gateway had to be forced to pay for the medical bills and had not been in contact with the family since the incident.
However, Gateway public relations manager, Sane Ndlovu, said centre management had been in touch with the family and had assisted them after their terrifying ordeal.
“Gateway centre management has been in touch and continues to be in touch with families and shoppers concerned. The allegation that shoppers were asked to pay for treatment at Umhlanga Hospital after the incident is not true. Centre management was at the hospital after the incident to assist families and shoppers concerned and signed the bill for treatment of all those who were injured,” Ndlovu said. She added the investigation as to what caused the glass panel to come loose was not yet complete.
Initial report: A family outing nearly ended in tragedy when five members of a Pietermaritzburg family were hit by glass falling from the sky light dome above them in the Gateway Theatre of Shopping in Umhlanga last Saturday.
They were rushed to Umhlanga Hospital with blood pouring from severe lacerations and gashes, and were told they would have to pay their own medical expenses.
Gateway mall nightmare for family
