Concealed municipal barricade on Drakensburg Drive causes serious injury to teen
"I just heard him screaming: 'my leg is broken'.
DRAKENSBURG – Taking a short cut through the veld on his motorbike, Quinton van Jaarsveld got more than he bargained for.
Read:Â Grass causes growing concern in Finnemore Street
On Sunday, February 12, the 18-year-old was travelling on Drakensburg Drive when he decided to take a detour through the veld, not knowing disaster awaited him in the long grass.
Travelling at about 40 kilometres an hour, Quinton did not see the municipal iron barricade concealed in the long grass, and drove right into it, sending him flying off his bike a few 100 metres away, and leaving him with a gaping wound in his leg.
“I was riding my bike and the next thing I know, I am on the ground with a hole in my leg.”
Bleeding profusely, Quinton was unable to stand and shouted for help.
“I was in serious pain and just continued to shout for help,” he said.
Thankfully, a woman who lives close to the veld heard Quinton’s cries and alerted authorities.
“She brought me water to drink and an emergency service was there to assist me.”
Quinton’s mother, Elaine van Jaarsveld, said after hearing the news of her son’s accident she immediately rushed over.
“I just heard him screaming: ‘my leg is broken’,” she recalled.
Quinton was taken to the Primary Health Care Clinic in town and, then to Madadeni Provincial Hospital where his wound was stitched up.
“The doctor said I did not sustain any fractures. I received five stitches to my leg.”
Long grass is problematic in many areas in Newcastle. The municipality has undertaken a schedule to attend to the problem.
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