GEORGE NEWS - The air was heavy with emotion on Sunday morning, 26 May, when hundreds of bikers, service club members, George residents and volunteers from the Victoria Street building collapse gathered at the disaster site for a wreath-laying ceremony.
The event, organised by the SWD biking community, was held in honour and remembrance of the 34 people who lost their lives on Monday 6 May, their bereaved families and the survivors.
Attendees assembled at Checkers in Redefine Boulevard, York Street, and the convoy, escorted by provincial traffic officers, proceeded up York Street to Victoria Street at approximately 09:30.
The convoy was escorted to Victoria Street by provincial traffic officers.
Photo: Ruan Lamprecht Photography
A short sermon was held during the ceremony by pastor Freddie Lombard, after which Pieter Nel, CEO of the George Alert Team and a member of the Lions, and Johan Swanepoel, president of Excalibur MCC George, addressed the crowd.
Nel expressed gratitude to everyone who participated and took time out of their Sunday to pay respects to the victims and their families.
Nel and his George Alert team were among the first responders to the scene after the collapse, providing PPE and other necessary items to rescue workers and emergency personnel. He also noted that this unfortunate incident once again demonstrated the remarkable solidarity of George residents in times of crisis and highlighted the valuable lessons learnt from the experience.
The Lions' Pieter Nel, who is also CEO of the George Alert Team, spoke a few words during the ceremony. From the day of the disaster, he and his team spent 24 hours per day assisting rescue teams until the site was cleared. Photo: Kristy Kolberg
One of the organisers, Craig Anderson, thanked everyone involved. "Thank you to the combined efforts of all the SWD clubs, provincial traffic, Checkers in York Street, and all the emergency crews who participated."
PHOTO GALLERY: George remembers victims of Victoria Street
Pervious articles:
- Death toll 34, 18 formally identified
- Update: 47 victims linked to their families
- President Cyril Ramaphosa coming to George tomorrow
- Update: Death toll remains 33 while 19 still missing
- Update: One family finds closure
- Building collapse: 19 (out of 81) still missing
The Van der Walt family at the wreath-laying. In front from left are daughter Kaelyn, dad Alex with his son Liam, and his wife Junita. Behind are Clinton Cronje and Eugene Gunning. Photo: Kristy Kolberg.
OPTIONWaylon Romans, Linda and Craig Anderson, Leon Bondenstein and Brad Fuller. Photo: Kristy Kolberg ‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’
