A couple is battling to cope with life after an accident claimed their only means of transport.
On Wednesday, 4 May at about 7.20am, Patricia Naude, 47, was involved in an accident at the Dwarskloof/ Wheatlands crossing after a driver allegedly skipped the stop street. Naude was on her way to work in Brandvlei, driving behind another vehicle, and approaching the crossing. This was all she could remember on waking up in the Lenmed Hospital on Thursday, 5 May.
The occupant of the vehicle in front of Naude told her husband, Stefan, that he had crossed the road ahead of Naude. After that, the driver of the other vehicle, coming from the right, failed to stop, and hit Naude’s vehicle at the front, and then again on the right-hand side, narrowly missing the other vehicle.
One of Naude’s colleagues, who saw what had happened, immediately informed Stefan of what had happened, and ER24 Emergency Services responded to the accident call-out quickly.
The Naudes unfortunately have no medical insurance, but thanks to the unknown paramedic’s quick thinking, they were able to organise authorisation from the Road Accident Fund for Naude to be taken to the Lenmed Hospital. Naude had to be cut out of her vehicle with the jaws of life, as her foot was stuck between its pedals. It took three hours to extricate her, but eventually she was freed and taken to hospital.
Naude sustained severe head injuries, her left leg was broken in two places, and her shoulder was hurt in the accident. She now suffers from double vision, brought on by the impact. She received stitches on her badly damaged forehead, and also has pins in her left leg.
The couple wants to thank ER24 personnel for their excellent work and ongoing support, with special thanks going to the unknown woman who went out of her way to ensure that Naude was taken to a private hospital.
Stefan Naude says that besides getting better, his wife now faces another challenge. She had no idea how difficult it would be to get around after the accident, in which their uninsured vehicle was written off.
Patricia is scheduled to return to work on 5 July, but has no way of getting there,” said Naude.
Stefan Naude was retrenched a year ago, and his wife is the family’s sole breadwinner. If any member of the public is able to assist the couple in any way, they’re asked to please contact Stefan on 060 921 1151.
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Also read:
Family walks away from terrible car crash
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