THE scene of the horror crash in which forty-year-old Liam Symington was killed more than three years ago was trashed on Thursday night when a man driving a BMV wiped out three Mahogany trees on uMhlanga Rocks Drive.
While nobody was injured in Thursday’s accident, the vehicle was severely mangled. Days after the crash dozens of car parts belonging to the vehicle were still scattered across the verge. The wooden cross that was placed at the scene in memory of Symington was also severely damaged during the accident.
Symington was killed on 23 January 2011, after a 17 year old, who did not yet have his driver’s licence, lost control of his parent’s BMW and crashed into the uMhlanga businessman’s VW Golf. His two daughters, Riley and Micayla, who were then 6 and 13, were seriously injured, but survived the accident.
Residents shocked by Thursday night’s accident called for additional signage to be put up to warn motorists of the sharp bend and speed regulations, but Heinz De Boer, councillor of Ward 35, said that engineers have examined the road on previous occasions, but have found “nothing wrong with the road”.
“I will, however, request that engineers analyse the bridge once again, but in my personal opinion additional signage is not the solution. Enforcement is the key. Authorities have to conduct more visible vehicle check points, road blocks and random speed traps to discourage reckless driving. We have raised this suggestion at community CPF meetings, but nothing has been done so far,” said De Boer.
According to De Boer reckless and irresponsible driving is the primary issue. “People are simply driving too fast. Even if additional signage is put up, if people are speeding the won’t see the sign until it is too late. Many vehicles are reportedly using uMhlanga Rocks Drive as a thoroughfare from uMhlanga to avoid the M4, reported De Boer.
The details behind Thursday’s accident still remain vague, as Durban North SAPS has been unavailable for comment. Media have reported that only one vehicle was involved in the accident and that the driver of the accident was alone in the BMW.
