Cape Town – Divanne Leibrand, a Good Samaritan who attempted to save 18-year-old Taytim -Lee Hendricks, after she was hit by an alleged drunk and unlicensed driver in Bonteheuwel, has been overwhelmed with messages of kindness.
Hendricks is understood to have been walking on the street when the speeding car ploughed into her, before it crashed into a wall.
She was hit with such impact that her body was flung onto the roof of a house. She succumbed to her injuries in hospital.
A 32-year-old man was arrested on charges of reckless and negligent driving and culpable homicide.
He made his first court appearance at the Bishop Lavis Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, where he was released on R5 000 bail, on condition that he stays out of Bonteheuwel.
The case has been postponed to February 2023.
Leibrandt said he was at the robots driving into Bonteheuwel when the accident happened.
“I was driving from Mitchells Plain to Bonteheuwel to visit my mother. I was at the robots and I saw this whole accident. I am not a paramedic. I was a Level 3 first aider and have worked for Transnet for 15 years. I have knowledge from all the incidents we’ve had on the port, some of which were fatal,” he said.
Leibrandt said he climbed onto the roof and told people on the scene to stop taking pictures and videos.
“I don’t like people posting injured people on social media. Unfortunately I did not have my first aid bag in the car, I had taken it out. But I kept speaking to her the whole time. I was with her on the roof for about an hour until the first responders came. Then we got her off the roof and we put her on a stretcher.
“Later the same day I was told that her heart had stopped.
“I had the privilege of meeting the mother and the father. They thanked me for being there for their child at a time of need. I am just glad I was able to be there, and assist her in her time of pain and need. But honestly I would do the same for anyone,” he said.
Hendricks’ family said they were broken but trying to cope.
She will be laid to rest on Saturday.
Cape Times