Durban - An 83-year-old man has been left in a serious condition in a hospital intensive care unit after sustaining a brutal beating in an apparent “road-rage” incident.
His traumatised family are waiting for the police to conduct their investigations to determine exactly what transpired.
Ismail Parak of Johannesburg South, driving his Renault Megane, was involved in a minor “fender bender” in Inanda Road in Newlands East, Durban, at 8pm on Friday.
A spokesman for paramedics service Crisis Medical, Kyle van Reenen, said that, according to reports at the scene, two cars had collided at slow speed with little to no damage reported.
“Following the collision, it is alleged that the occupants of one of the vehicles assaulted and beat the elderly driver of the other before fleeing the scene.
“The elderly man was found lying in the roadway disorientated and in a serious condition.”
Van Reenen said intermediate life support intervention was needed to stabilise him before he was placed on a specialised stretcher for suspected neck and spinal cord injuries.
He was then taken to City Hospital for emergency care, before being transferred to Shifa hospital.
Van Reenen said the exact facts concerning the incident were unconfirmed.
Parak’s son Zaid said he had rushed from Johannesburg after hearing of the incident from relatives in Durban who were initially contacted by the authorities.
“I’ve only heard second-hand stories of what happened at the scene because my father was in no position to talk about what transpired. We just know he was beaten very badly after a very minor accident. He’s in a lot of pain.”
He said his father sustained serious injuries including fractures to his face, bruises and severe swelling.
Updates
“My family has been devastated by what’s happened. Right now, they are just waiting for any updates on his condition. They are all very concerned, especially because of his age.”
He said he would speak to doctors to decide whether to transport his father, who used to run a motor spares shop before retiring, back to Johannesburg for further care, or if it would be better for him to recover in Durban before travelling.
“We’ve opened a case with the police and are waiting to hear the status of the investigation.
“We don’t know if there have been any arrests yet, but the police were given the other driver’s registration number after he fled the scene.”
The Mercury
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