Security guard’s first car lost in flood
SANDTON - Security guard Frank Nolela walked 4km to work after escaping from his car that was washed away in flood waters.
An unfortunate incident unfolded on the evening of 14 May at about 6.30pm when local security guard Frank Nolela was driving on his way to work in River Club.
Nolela attempted to cross the flooded low-level bridge on Belgrave Street in his vehicle. “There was not much water coming over the bridge, so I thought I could make it, but as soon as I was in the middle of the bridge, my car started to slip and it fell off the bridge,” he said.
Read: BREAKING NEWS: Car washed off bridge in Bryanston
He managed to free himself from the half-submerged vehicle and made his way to his place of work nearly 4km away in the pouring rain. “I didn’t want to be late for work, so I left my car in the river and walked the rest of the way.”
Nolela added that his red Nissan Sentra that got washed away was his first car and that he had only owned it for a month prior to the incident.
Bryanston River Club Comunity Forum member Rose Bishop heard about Nolela’s unfortunate situation. “On Sunday afternoon, I met the driver of the red car, Frank,” she said.
“He was watching everyone coming down to see the spectacle of his bashed up car. He told me he had been quoted R2 000 to have the car towed out of the spruit. After posting a pic and story of Frank on Facebook, I was contacted by others in the area to support Frank and make donations.”
Bishop added that Nolela had worked at a townhouse complex in the area for more than 17 years. “He is a good man and I have been overwhelmed by the community support. We have raised over R5 000 thus far.”
Johannesburg Roads Agency spokesperson Bertha Scheepers told the Sandton Chronicle that the bridge’s culverts have been cleared of debris after the heavy rains and Nolela’s car – which is a write-off – had also been removed.
If you would like to help Nolela get back on his feet, please feel free to donate to the following account:
Account Name: Bryanston River Club Community Forum NPC
Bank: RMB Private Bank/FNB
Branch Code: 261251
Account Number: 62554700073
Reference: Frank
Details: Rose Bishop bishopsgate@mweb.co.za
