Possibly a second William Nicol Road tragedy?
Who will be blamed if an accident, similar to the William Nicol tragedy, occurs elsewhere?
A resident’s terrifying experience on Doreen Road in Poortview on Monday 16 September left Roodepoorters wondering whether a second William Nicol tragedy is imminent.
This follows the gut-wrenching experiences, losses and damage of the William Nicol Road pile-up on the afternoon of 14 June.
Sarita van Eden told the Record about her experience on Doreen Road after Christo van Eden, her husband, expressed his concern to the journalist.
Sarita was on Doreen Road where it intersects with Malcolm Road, waiting for the traffic light to turn green so that she could travel up Doreen Road, when a white bakkie came speeding down the steep Doreen Road, with its emergency lights flashing.
“I still remember asking myself what his problem was,” Sarita said.
“The next moment a large white truck came speeding down the road, heading directly towards my car.
“I immediately thought of my small daughter seated in the back of the vehicle and that there was no time to get both of us out before the collision would occur.
“Luckily no vehicles were turning into Doreen Road from the shopping centre and the truck managed to swerve around us while speeding towards Hendrik Potgieter Road.
“Glancing in my mirror, it seemed that the truck came to a halt in the slipway for traffic from Hendrik Potgieter Road into Doreen Road, and I left the scene trembling.”
“I believe the truck driver lost control on that steep road.”
Chriso wanted to know why heavy load vehicles are not prohibited from using all steep roads and why the JMPD has not been surveying the area, following the horrific William Nicol Road accident. These questions were passed on to JMPD spokesperson Wayne Minnaar for comment.
“The same signage that is now evident on William Nicol Road is implemented and should be evident on Doreen Road,” Minaar said, being unable to pinpoint its location.
“We plan on intensifying the law when it comes to heavy load vehicles in the area.”
“I’d expect more than a mere R500 fine to be issued, should an officer notice the truck,” a disgusted Christo van Eden commented on Minnaar’s response.
No reports of the out-of-control truck have surfaced, implying that a collision was avoided narrowly.
