Car battery that killed woman on N3 was not thrown from a bridge, says SAPS

11 October 2024 | From Arrive Alive


In a surprising turn of events, a Westville SAPS detective has discovered that the car battery flew from a vehicle that was involved in an accident.

WESTVILLE SAPS detective has discovered that the car battery that hit an elderly woman on the N3 near Pavilion was not thrown from a bridge but flew from a car that was involved in an accident on the opposite side of the road.

The incident, which happened on September 29, claimed the life of Madhumathie Bunwarie (62) who was on her way back to Pietermaritzburg after attending a funeral in Phoenix.

The initial reports alleged that a car battery was thrown from a bridge, smashed the windscreen and landed on her face, killing her.

Captain Elizabeth Squires, Westville SAPS Communications Officer, said the new information was brought forward by a person who said he witnessed the incident.

“The witness indicated that he was travelling in the same direction but was in front of the family. The witness said a serious accident had just occurred on the opposite side of the road, and that due to the impact of the accident, the battery was flown from the vehicle, narrowly missing the witness but unfortunately hit the car behind him,” reported Squires.

According to the communications officer, the detective contacted all the neighbouring stations to establish if any accident had been reported, but unfortunately, no reports had been made.

“He was informed that the injured occupant was taken to hospital for treatment. The detective has made contact with the family of the injured person, and it has been established that the driver is in a critical condition in a local hospital,” said Squires.

Credit: Highway Mail

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