Toddler better after injury on pavement

Polokwane Municipality is engaging with the family of two year-old toddler Tyler Hertz who was injured when an object that was allegedly flung from a lawnmower operated by municipal workers hit him in the face on Saturday.
According to his father, Nicholas, he was standing on the pavement in Suid Street when he was hit on the shoulder by a flying object that he describes as a rock. “The object was deflected and hit Tyler right in his face. We first took him to a private medical facility in the city but had to take him to Pietersburg Hospital because we have no medical aid,” Nicholas said and added that X-rays and a CAT scan were taken and that he was informed that Tyler’s sinus cavity was broken and that he had swelling on the brain as well as inflammation and infection.

Nicolas is confident that the object came from a lawnmower that was operated by municipal workers on the street reserve on the opposite side of Suid Street and confirmed that he has raised the matter with the driver and supervisor of the municipality right after the incident. “They said that they have no answers for me,” Nicholas said. Nicholas added that the point where the lawnmower worked was about 20 metres from the point where Tyler was injured and admitted that the municipality had displayed a warning sign further up in Suid Street near the Hoog Street intersection. “We are, however, considering legal action against the municipality because it is our opinion that the necessary precautions were not taken to avoid the incident,” Nicholas said.
Spokesperson for the municipality, Thipa Selala said that the municipality confirms that the incident was reported on Saturday and that the supervisor met with the family on Monday. Further engagements with the family will take place in due course. “An incident report will be forwarded to the relevant department for investigation and to determine the course of action. The municipality always exercises caution during such operations to ensure there are no injuries or damage to property. However, this is a very sad and regrettable incident to happen to anyone or a child for that matter. The municipality will work together with the family during this period of pain,” Selala said.

Story: BARRY VILJOEN
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