The three men who’s lives crossed on the fateful morning of 16 June met each other on Wednesday for the first time since the tragedy that claimed two lives.
Chris Thubakgale owes his life to tow truck driver Wouter Steyn and security officer Marius Grobler. Wouter helped him out of the burning police vehicle while Marius still tried to extinguish the fire. Steyn also encouraged him to crawl to safety within seconds of the car exploding, killing both his colleagues, Elias Thabo Dibete and Thulasizwe Skhahla. The accident happend when an alleged drunk driver crashed at high speed into the back of their vehicle while they were patrolling on Ontdekkers Road in the early hours of that morning.
Wouter said he was extremely traumatised and over and above not sleeping and often having feelings of regret for not saving the other two officers, went back and stopped at the scene of the accident seven times. He also had to receive counselling from Emergency Services Management (EMS) chaplain Lukas Visagie.
Marius on the other hand said he could not get the screams out of his head and said he would probably never forget what he saw that night.
When the three, visibly emotional, saw each other they immediately embraced each other like long lost friends and tears of gratitude could be seen in Chris’s eyes. Chris, who is currently on extended leave recovering from reconstructive surgery, repeatedly expressed how thankful he was towards the two men.
Throughout the touching reunion hugs were exchanged between the the two reluctant heroes and the man who’s life they saved and all three men agreed they would remain friends for life.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZhKXFBl7ig&feature=youtu.be
Want to receive news alerts via WhatsApp? Send us an SMS/ WhatsApp message with your name and cellphone number to 079 414 6709.
Familiarise yourself with our WhatsApp service disclaimer.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at roodepoortrecord@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.
Also read: Policemen perish in horror inferno
Update: BWM driver in ‘Ontdekkers Police” case in court
Video and Photo: Police tragedy on Ontdekkers
Listen: Heartwrenching first hand account of tow trucker who tried to save policemen
For free daily local news on the West Rand, also visit our sister newspaper websites Randfontein Herald, Krugersdorp News and Get It Joburg West Magazine
Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to let your voice be heard!
