Big tree kills teen during storm
A neighbour said that after hearing her screams, he went to the shack to find out what had happened only to be met by the huge tree on the shack
All was well at Empumelelweni Marikana section until a strong wind disturbed the peace in the area and led to tragedy.
The neighbours of Ms Ntombi Selahle were awakened by her screams on Monday, January 13, after a big tree fell on her shack, killing her last born daughter, Tlhologelo Selahle (14).
“I screamed for help and neighbours came to help me, but the tree was too big for us to lift. Paramedics and the fire department tried their best but the tree was just too big. Even with the use of two cranes, we only lifted the tree after several attempts,” said Ms Selahle.
A neighbour said that after hearing her screams, he went to the shack to find out what had happened only to be met by the huge tree on the shack.
The neighbour said it was incredibly painful to witness such a sad scene when one could do nothing to help.
He said the tree was on top of Tlhologelo who remained alive for a while following the tree’s fall.
Everything inside the shack was destroyed and Tlhologelo’s body was only retrieved at about 01:00.
Tlhologelo was a learner at Pine Ridge Combined School.
“She was a sweet girl who loved her school and was looking forward to start grade seven at her school; it was such a huge loss and a painful one,” added the sad mother.
Tlhologelo will be buried at Hammanskraal in Pretoria on Saturday, January 18.
