ER24 airlifts boy who was run over on his bicycle in Evander
Both motorists are facing charges of negligent and reckless driving
EVANDER – Andile Modise is a very brave young lad according to his mother, Ms Neria Modise.
She has been at his side since he was seriously injured while riding a bicycle on Monday afternoon, 21 January.
This eight-year-old boy from Evander took off from their family home in Salonica Street that afternoon to ride around on his brother’s “big” bicycle.
Ms Modise said Andile, a Grade 3 learner at Laerskool Hoëveld, just loves to explore and riding a bicycle seems to be one of his favourite pass time activities.
“That damn bicycle!”
“I was at work when I received the call that Andile was hurt and on his way to the hospital, I was very shocked,” said Ms Modise on Tuesday morning, 22 January. She was at his bedside in the Union Hospital in Alberton.
According to eyewitnesses, Andile was riding in Rotterdam Road opposite Advance Panel beaters when he was knocked off the bicycle by a red Hyundai Getz.
He then fell off the bicycle into oncoming traffic.
This was when a second vehicle, a Ford Ranger, also drove into the child.
People quickly rushed to the child’s aid. Mr Alf Byleveldt from Jelani Security happened to be in the area when the accident happened and he rushed to help.
“A sweet woman and a man who might have been her colleague were calming down the crying boy.
“He was in a lot of pain and bleeding quite badly. The wheels on his oversized bicycle were completely buckled.”
Mr Byleveldt called the ambulance services and then proceeded to help Andile as best he could until the paramedics and the local emergency workers arrived.
Andile’s left leg was broken with the bone actually protruding from the flesh.
He also sustained numerous cuts and scrapes from the impact on the tar road and the vehicles.
Langamed South paramedics arrived and tended to Andile’s injuries before loading him onto a stretcher and into the ambulance.
He was rushed to Mediclinic Highveld in Trichardt.
Ms Modise told The Echo that Andile knows her cell phone number which he provided to his helpers, but the phone was not working at the time.
“He then gave our address. I am so thankful to the two people who went to my house and told the boarder of the accident. He then went to the scene to see Andile and then contacted me from there.
“I was told how amazing those two people were who from the beginning supported my child and I want to thank them. I only know their names, Natasha and Tshepo,” said Ms Modise.
Andile was stabilised at Mediclinic Highveld before ER24’s helicopter airlifted him to the Union Hospital in Alberton where he underwent an emergency operation.
“Andile is doing much better now and is stable,” Ms Modise said.
Sgt Sibusiso Mbuli, spokesman for the Evander Police, said both motorists are facing charges of negligent and reckless driving. The docket has been sent to the Evander Court.
