Grade 8 Michaelhouse pupil Garth Finnemore and his parents were killed in a head-on collision on Saturday as three separate accidents claimed the lives of 21 people on a day of tragedy.
Garth and his parents Olivia and Gareth Finnemore were killed in a head-on collision on the R622 Greytown Road while travelling back from a rugby sevens tournament on Saturday afternoon.
Garth’s younger brother, who is a Grade 6 pupil at Durban Preparatory High School (DPHS), survived and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
Midlands EMS spokesperson Roland Robertson said the 12-year-old boy was found in a critical condition and placed on a manual ventilator at the scene before being rushed to a specialist hospital for further care.
“He was rushed off to theatre last night and is currently stable,” Robertson told “The Mercury” on Sunday.
He said of the nine people travelling in a bakkie, eight were killed, while one person from the same vehicle was seriously injured,was taken to a government hospital for urgent medical attention but later passed away.
“Eleven people showed no signs of life and were declared deceased on the scene,” said Robertson, adding that the authorities were at the scene.
The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) said preliminary reports suggest that the Toyota Hilux carrying eight occupants travelling towards Greytown crossed into the lane of the oncoming Toyota Fortuner, with the family of four, which was heading towards Mooi River. The exact cause of the crash is still under investigation.
Antony Clark, rector of Michaelhouse, said the school was devastated by the loss of Garth and his parents. “He was travelling home from a sevens rugby event at Wembley College in his parents’ car along with his parents and his younger brother who has been transported in a critical condition to hospital.”
Clark said he had no further details.
“Our staff and our pastoral team at Michaelhouse are currently engaging with our boys at this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Finnemore family,” he said.
DPHS said the school’s community was devastated at the news of the loss of such valued members of their Prep family.
“We hold Harry (Grade 6 Elliott) and the entire Finnemore family in our thoughts at this terribly difficult time.”
There was an outpouring of condolences on social media from KZN schools among others for the Finnemore family.
Garth’s former schoolmate at DPHS, Nkanyezi Mazibuko spoke fondly of the last time he saw him (Garth).
“The last time I saw him was at the DPHS’s Founders Day celebrations last month and we greeted each other warmly. Little did I know that I was seeing him for the last time.”
In a separate incident, the KZN Department of Transport said its Road Traffic Inspectorate, the RTMC and SAPS were investigating a taxi accident that resulted in the death of six MK Party members.
Party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela said the accident occurred at about 11am while en route to KwaDakw’udunuse to attend a celebratory event.
“The uMkhonto weSizwe Party is deeply saddened by the passing of six members in a tragic accident, when the taxi they were travelling in burnt with them trapped inside,” he said.
Ndhlela assured the families of the deceased that the party would support them during these difficult times.
Provincial Transport MEC Siboniso Duma said the preliminary report found that the taxi carrying 17 people including the driver were travelling from Estcourt to Nkandla. Duma said the driver experienced brake failure in Ntunjambili and lost control of the taxi causing it to overturn and catch fire.
The MEC said 10 occupants sustained minor injuries and five women were declared dead at the scene.
“We wish to extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of six women who died in this accident,” said Duma.
He said a full investigation has been ordered into the accident. The main focus is to determine whether there was negligence or to ascertain the root cause of the incident.
“We do this to prevent recurrence and, where necessary, ensure that criminal prosecution is undertaken.”
Duma said road accidents were destroying families and leaving behind widowers, widows and orphans.
The day ended in tragedy when a collision left three dead on the R74 link road between KwaDukuza (Stanger) and the N2.
“The three occupants of the car, including a young child, had succumbed to their injuries,” said IPSS Medical Rescue spokesperson Samantha Meyrick.
She said one occupant from the second vehicle sustained serious injuries and was transported to a nearby facility for further care.
The Mercury