J Keating writes:
On Saturday 15 November, I was the victim of a hit-and-run incident. My daughter and I were taking our usual weekend run together when, at about 7.15am, we attempted to cross Beyers Naudé Drive, just off the Thomas Bowler intersection, alongside West Park Cemetery. The road was clear to our right and so we ran halfway across. At this point I was looking to my left at the approaching traffic from that side. We had ample space. I then turned back toward my right and saw a minibus bearing down, followed by a violent blow and I was flung backwards. An eyewitness later told us that the minibus had jumped the red robot and entered the oncoming traffic lane from the Thomas Bowler intersection, and that several cars hooted a warning. Fortunately, my daughter was a few metres behind and was unharmed. The minibus sped away from the scene.
As I lay in the road, a number of vehicles stopped and people came to assist. Among them Abongile Mtiwane. My heartfelt thanks to each of you. Whoever you are, God bless you. A Mzanzi ambulance arrived within minutes, once again, wonderful caring people. One reads so many reports about rogue ambulances and here were true good Samaritans. I was speedily delivered to Milpark Hospital and to casualty. The Mzanzi ambulance team accompanied my wife into the building, offered her coffee and stayed until she was settled.
My chin had a gaping hole, my right arm was badly lacerated with some flesh missing. My hand was broken and my ribs were badly bruised. It could have been much worse.
The people at Milpark Hospital are simply fantastic, they have taken away the pain, patched me up with skin grafts, taken care of me and set me on the road to recovery. What the final outcome will be, I do not know. But I do know they did everything that was possible. A thousand times thanks and appreciation.
This whole episode has restored my waning faith in humanity. I have encountered South Africans of all descriptions and been mightily impressed. We do not lack professionalism, skills and expertise. Above all, there are people who care.
There is one inescapable fact, the behaviour of the minibus taxi-drivers in general is abominable. Due to an almost total lack of responsible policing, these drivers are setting our road standards, and others are following their example. Our authorities appear to be deaf and blind to what is happening. The situation has already gotten so bad as to be close to complete chaos. A visit to the Intensive Care Unit in any hospital will tell you the story.
