A Walter Sisulu University (WSU) final year student and three passengers miraculously survived an accident which left a two-year-old child dead.
Yanga Mnyathi, 24, was travelling in the car with his friend Mandla Lukubeni, 24, and Nomande Madaka and her two children when the accident happened.
The vehicle they were travelling in plunged about 30m down a rocky embankment in the notorious Mthentu Cuttings near Mthatha on Sunday morning.
“But while we survived, I am heartbroken that one of the children died and another is still in hospital.
“Looking at the accident and the number of times the vehicle has rolled down this rocky embankment, one is left with the question as to how we survived.
“But I believe that it is God’s miracle,” said Mnyathi.
Mnyathi and Lukubeni were on their way to attend a church service in Mount Frere at the time.
Mnyathi said he had only heard on Tuesday that one of the children had died. He said the accident took place at one of the cutting’s sharp curves.
“A vehicle was driving straight towards us, in my lane. I had to think fast and avoid a head-on collision. So I swerved to my left and the car hit gravel and I lost control.
“It hit the rails and rolled many, many times down the embankment before it landed on its roof,” said Mnyathi.
Lukubeni and Mnyathi visited the family of the dead child in Dutywa yesterday.
“The family understood the situation and are least happy that some people survived in the accident,” said Lukubeni.
Madaka, who comes from Dutywa, said she was devastated at the loss of her child, but believed the accident could have been worse.
“The car was approaching us straight on in our lane and I thought it would be a head-on accident and worse killing us all, but by God's miracle some of us survived.
“But I am heartbroken that my child died and another one is still in hospital,” said Madaka who suffered a fractured arm. — lulamilef@dispatch.co.za
Mom’s heartbreak as child dies after car rolls
Yanga Mnyathi, 24, was travelling in the car with his friend Mandla Lukubeni, 24, and Nomande Madaka and her two children when the accident happened.
The vehicle they were travelling in plunged about 30m down a rocky embankment in the notorious Mthentu Cuttings near Mthatha on Sunday morning.
“But while we survived, I am heartbroken that one of the children died and another is still in hospital.
“Looking at the accident and the number of times the vehicle has rolled down this rocky embankment, one is left with the question as to how we survived.
“But I believe that it is God’s miracle,” said Mnyathi.
Mnyathi and Lukubeni were on their way to attend a church service in Mount Frere at the time.
Mnyathi said he had only heard on Tuesday that one of the children had died. He said the accident took place at one of the cutting’s sharp curves.
“A vehicle was driving straight towards us, in my lane. I had to think fast and avoid a head-on collision. So I swerved to my left and the car hit gravel and I lost control.
“It hit the rails and rolled many, many times down the embankment before it landed on its roof,” said Mnyathi.
Lukubeni and Mnyathi visited the family of the dead child in Dutywa yesterday.
“The family understood the situation and are least happy that some people survived in the accident,” said Lukubeni.
Madaka, who comes from Dutywa, said she was devastated at the loss of her child, but believed the accident could have been worse.
“The car was approaching us straight on in our lane and I thought it would be a head-on accident and worse killing us all, but by God's miracle some of us survived.
“But I am heartbroken that my child died and another one is still in hospital,” said Madaka who suffered a fractured arm. — lulamilef@dispatch.co.za
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