Randfontein man's leg amputated after he was struck by train. (Warning: Contains graphic images – Not for sensitive viewers).
Johannes Cloete in hospital. Photo submitted.
A man in his 30s has survived being hit by a train near Randfontein Station, although his lower left leg had to be amputated as a result. The incident took place in January.
Johannes Cloete in December, before the incident. Photo submitted.
The man, Johannes Cloete, 34, who is better known in the community as Dofie because he is deaf and partially sighted (he’s blind in his left eye) is currently recovering in Leratong Hospital.
Fikile Oyekanmi of Leratong Hospital’s communication department confirmed that Cloete had been admitted to one of their surgical wards.
Johannes’ lower left leg had to be amputated. Photo submitted.
On the day of the incident, Johannes told his mother, Andrieka Bester, that he was about to cross the train tracks when he was hit by a train. It is believed the train wasn’t going full speed.
“He said he looked both ways to check that it was safe to cross, but then he dropped his pack of cigarettes, and bent down to retrieve them. By the time he looked up again, it was too late to avoid the train,” said Andrieka.
Cloete’s leg. Photo submitted.
“I was at work when I heard my son had been hit by a train. A man rushed me to the hospital and on my arrival I was told it didn’t look good. I thought the worst – that I was about to lose my son. When I saw him he had drips in his body and there was blood everywhere. As I got closer, he grabbed me and we both started crying. It was a miracle that he was alive.”
As Andrieka does not know who the medical personnel at the scene of the accident were, she would like to thank each and everyone in the community for their assistance.
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