GEORGE NEWS - An on-duty municipal traffic officer, Chrisdelle Appels, who was seriously injured when she was hit by a Toyota Quantum minibus taxi in Laing Street on Saturday 13 May, is recovering in Mediclinic George.
"It's only grace that I'm alive and for that I'm so grateful," she told George Herald from her hospital bed this week.
She also thanked her family, colleagues, ER24 staff and the hospital staff for their support and care. Besides a serious fracture to her leg, she suffered injuries to her head, face, ribs and lung.
CCTV footage
On CCTV video footage the taxi is seen speeding down Laing Street. It hits Appels while she attempts to get out of the way and drags her for some distance before she is flung down and rolls until she comes to a stop against a tree.
The taxi driver fled the scene and the taxi was later found abandoned at the Sasol garage in Nelson Mandela Boulevard. The driver, Siyabonga Jantjies (21), was later arrested when he handed himself over at the Thembalethu Police Station.
According to Southern Cape police spokesperson Sgt Chris Spies, police responded to the scene at about 12:15.
"Upon arrival the members found the victim with multiple injuries. She was taken to hospital for further medical care. A search for the Quantum ensued and the vehicle was found abandoned," he said.
The suspect appeared in the George Magistrate's Court on Monday 15 May on a charge of attempted murder.
The case was postponed to today, Thursday 18 May, for bail information.
"The investigation into the incident is ongoing and more charges could be added as the investigation unfolds," said Spies.
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