Durban - A woman who survived the horror Fields Hill multiple vehicle pile-up has been killed in another crash – because her previous injuries prevented her from running away.
Pedestrian Cecelia Shabalala, 37, who was hit by a car which allegedly swerved on to a pavement in Pinetown, died on her way to hospital on Thursday afternoon.
“Sometimes, we just have to make peace with the situation, even if it’s a tragedy,” her older brother, Themba Shabalala, who was with her in her final moments, said on Monday.
The incident, just after midday, occurred about 500m away from the Fields Hill pile-up.
He said that his sister had been walking along Anderson Road with a former colleague when a driver allegedly lost control of his vehicle and veered on to the pavement, hitting her.
As the vehicle came hurtling towards them, his sister’s friend was able to run to safety, “but because of her previous injuries, Cecelia could not”, he said.
The impact sent Cecelia flying, before the car pinned her against a stationary truck, according to her brother.
The mother of one was badly injured in the Fields Hill crash in September last year, which killed 24 people.
She had metal rods in her legs and was unable to walk for some time. However, with physiotherapy, she was back on her feet and was down to using one crutch for assistance.
Themba, who works in Pinetown, was called by his sister’s colleague and arrived at the crash scene just as the paramedics did.
“When I saw her, I knew she would not make it. She was caught behind the truck and her arm and leg were badly injured,” he said.
Themba said his younger sister was however conscious and talking.
“She complained about pain in her back and leg but was not crying. I could do nothing for her, but listen and try to comfort her.”
His sister was talking until she took her last breath while they were being driven to King Edward VIII Hospital. Though saddened, he said he was grateful to have had the last few moments with his sister.
She had worked at a clothing store at the Pinecrest Centre (formerly Sanlam Centre) before the Fields Hill crash.
Although they did not live in the same house, they would sometimes travel to their respective homes in KwaNdengezi together.
Themba was late leaving work on September 5 last year and did not hear about the crash, in which a truck had slammed into vehicles, apparently after its brakes failed, until the next day.
“It did not even occur to me that someone I know, let alone my sister, might have been hurt.”
It was only the following afternoon that he was informed and went to visit his sister in hospital.
“She asked a lot of questions. You could see she was not okay. I had to show her the video of the crash and she still could not remember or believe she was hurt there,” he said.
Because Cecelia’s injuries had left her confined to her bed, she was unable to return to work, which had put financial strain on her family as she was the breadwinner.
Karen Dreyer Janisch, founder of the Fields Hill Helping Hands Facebook page, said she had met Cecelia about a month ago.
“She stood in front of us smiling and boasting about how far she had progressed from her injuries. She looked so well and was enthusiastic about getting her life back on track.”
Themba, who is worried about the effect of the news on Cecelia’s 8-year-old son. The family are still in the process of telling him.
“He has been through a lot, watching his mother as she recovered slowly. I don’t know how he will take it when he learns that she is dead.”
Pinetown police are investigating a case of culpable homicide.
Daily News