UPDATE: N2 Samaritan left horrified by crash site photo-snappers

THE Good Samaritan Toti motorist who stopped to assist a woman motorist whose crashed car landed on top of the armco barrier opposite the old CBD yesterday morning, has told the SUN how horrified he was by the reaction of motorists after the crash.

Read here: N2 Toti CBD crash motorist warns of other roadside dangers
Simon Hattingh, who has lived in Amanzimtoti his whole life, was driving to work in the slowed Durban-bound traffic when he saw Julia Thomas’ car snag on a piece of the barrier that jutted out into the road after she braked suddenly and swerved. “It seemed to grab and swing her car up onto the barrier in an instant,” said Simon.

His instinct kicked in and he pulled over but found it difficult to cross the busy Durban-bound lanes to get to her due to the volumes of traffic. “What struck me as almost surreal while I was standing there was the number of people who slowed enough to whip out their phones, and whose only focus was taking photos and video. It sickened me and it’s left a lasting impression,” added Simon.

He also noticed that two or three guys – the suspected loiterers and whoonga addicts from the CBD – had gathered around Julia’s Chevrolet Aveo.

“When next I looked at the driver, she made eye contact and grimaced, indicating she was unsettled with their presence.”

He then pushed through the traffic to get to her but by the time he had crossed the freeway however, the group had swelled to close on 10 or so young men, some of whom were jostling at the car’s locked doors while others had gathered around the back of it.

It only dawned on Simon afterwards what they guys were up to while he tended to Julia and helped her out of her teetering car wreck. “As I was helping her out, one guy came up to me and made a big deal about handing over her number plate,” said Simon. He was followed within a short while by another guy who came from behind and handed him her broken car mirror. “I realised later that they were trying to distract me from looking over at my car where one of them was clearly stealing my phone.”

Soon after he’d assisted Julia, Simon needed to check the time so he went to his car and reached for his cellphone – which was nowhere to be found.

“A couple of things freaked me out yesterday – firstly that barely anyone was prepared to stop and help; and then the people’s pre-occupation with taking photos and videos was startling,” he said.

“It was bitter-sweet – good to know she wasn’t injured but an eye-opener to have my phone stolen and to see how people have changed. It used to be that people cared and would stop for the most part at accident scenes.”

He said the loss of his phone didn’t bug him too much, even though it is an inconvenience.

“The hole in the fence that runs through the centre median on that section of the N2 is also a big problem,” said Simon. “The guys pounced within seconds, like they had rehearsed their response. They knew what they were up to. What worries me was what might’ve happened had I not pitched up…”

While downplaying his role, Simon said he was left feeling quite disturbed by the goings-on at the crash site. “I’m glad she wasn’t hurt but (the experience) has left me seeing people in a whole new light.”

Do you have more information pertaining to this story?
Feel free to let us know by commenting on our facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist.

DID YOU KNOW?
Click on the words highlighted in red to read more on this and related topics.
To receive news links via WhatsApp, send an invite to 061 876 3179
The Southlands Sun is also on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest – why not join us there?

(Comments posted on this issue may be used for publication in the Sun)

Save