Ashley’s scars remind his family of his bravery

TURFFONTEIN – On her birthday, March 16, little Nakita Swinburne (3) was saved by her nine-year-old brother, Ashley, when he pushed her and their grandmother out of the way when a car travelling on Stamford Road, Turffontein swerved off the road onto the pavement.

Both Nakita and Ashley were injured. The latter had visible bruises on both ankles, right ear, left leg, left thigh, a fractured rib and a laceration on his tongue. Nakita had a knock on her head. The CAT scan revealed there was no damage. They were treated at Baragwanath Hospital.

“Through God’s grace they are alive. Ashley’s bravery is unprecedented and I thanked him, he was the hero. Five guys had to help free Ashley from underneath the car, thank you to them,” said their mother, Dirkie Grobbelaar.

She said she was at home with Ashley’s father, Justin, when the accident happened. The granny was pushing Nakita in a pram with Ashley alongside on their way to Spar. Ashley explained that the woman driver first bumped the tree then headed for them. The pram was badly damaged. “I reacted quickly as I saw that we were in danger. I am quite happy for what I did,” said Ashely, a grade 3 learner from Forest Hill Primary.

Her mother thinks this was a hit-and-run incident, but no case was opened after the accident. She wants to pursue legal action against the woman, who was driving the car on the day of the accident.

ER24’s Russel Meiring said paramedics feared the worst, but were relieved to find the children had suffered only minor bumps and bruises.