Delft boy flung into the air as ‘speeding driver rams into him’
|Published
TRAGEDY: Ismael du Plessis, 10, killed in Ambassador Street, Delft Picture: Leon Knipe and supplied TRAGEDY: Ismael du Plessis, 10, killed in Ambassador Street, Delft Picture: Leon Knipe and supplied
A 10-year-old boy from Delft has been laid to rest after being killed in a hit and run accident on Friday.
Relatives say the driver ran away from the scene, but was caught.
Heartbroken relatives of Ismael du Plessis gathered on Saturday to say their final farewells to the learner from Dr Van der Ross Primary School.
The Grade 5 boy had been flung off his bike after being hit by a speeding taxi driver.
Boy had been flung off his bike. Picture: Leon Knipe
A 20-year-old relative, who asked not to be named, says the boy was sent to a tuckshop on Friday afternoon.
“He was standing on the pavement in Ambassador Street just outside the shop when a white VW microbus made a sharp turn into the street,” says the woman.
“The driver was speeding and hit him and he was flung in the air and landed at the intersection of Ambassador and Dulles Road.”
She says as the child fought for his life lying in the road, the taxi driver fled the scene, but the community gave chase.
“He ran away, but the neighbour who witnessed the incident drove after him and they cornered him and the police got him.”
A large group of concerned neighbours gathered around Ismael’s body as paramedics declared him dead on the scene and he was taken away.
HEARTBROKEN: Ismael’s distraught relatives at the scene
“From what I could see, Ismael’s leg was twisted because of how hard he was hit,” says the relative.
“We were told he had injuries to his lower back and skull. We are still in shock, especially because the driver was reckless and drove away after hitting a child.”
Police spokesperson Sergeant Noloyiso Rwexana confirms the driver’s arrest and says Delft police are investigating a culpable homicide case.
“Delft police are investigating a case of culpable homicide after a boy died after he was hit by a car,” says Rwexana.
“A 25-year-old man was arrested and he will appear in the Bellville Magistrates’ Court [today].”
Ismael’s janaazah was held in The Hague and he was laid to rest at Delft Cemetery.
Community Police Forum (CPF) chairperson Pastor Charles George says the tragedy has shocked the community.
SHOCKED: Pastor Charles George of CPF
“It is a tragic incident and my heart goes out to the family. The perpetrator has been caught and this shows how the community came together,” he says.
“The CPF will watch this case closely to see that justice is served.”