A six-month-old baby girl is lucky to be alive after being hit by a speeding car along Duinefontein Road on Wednesday afternoon.
Now Manenberg police are on the hunt for the driver of the red Toyota Tazz who fled the scene, leaving the injured baby and her mother behind.
Lucrecia Daniels, 31, says she has been left traumatised after seeing her tiny daughter Leticia being flung into the air in her pram after the driver jumped a red robot.
“I was coming from Nyanga Junction and walking with my baby in the pram,” she explains.
“The robot was red and I crossed over onto the island. I stood and looked and then crossed over towards Manenberg and then the car just came at a speed and hit us.
“The pram was rukked out of my hands and flew into the air.”
The devastated mother says she ran to check on her baby as the driver fled the scene.
“She was strapped inside the pram and it was in the road and she was almost crushed inside,” the emotional woman says.
“She got a skrik and was crying so I took her out to check if she is OK and comforted her.”
Police and ambulance rushed to the scene and the baby was taken to Red Cross Hospital.
“When we got there, they did tests on her but said she did not have any serious damage.
“Her head wasn’t fractured but she has bruising on her face and they just told me I must watch to see if she vomits, and if she does, I must take her back,” Lucrecia adds.
SAPS’ Noloyiso Rwexana, confirms the incident: “Manenberg police are investigating a case of reckless and negligent driving after a red motor vehicle bumped a 31-year-old woman and her six-month-old baby yesterday afternoon.
“The baby was transported to hospital for observation.
“The driver drove off without stopping and is being sought by the police.”
Lucrecia and her daughter were discharged from hospital on Wednesday night and says she is still traumatised by the incident.
“I didn’t sleep at all because I was watching her,” the mother says.
“She was moaning and had some pain so I sat up with her to comfort her because she is still in shock.
“I am angry at this driver. How could a person be so cruel to jump a robot and hit a baby and then drive away like that?
“I hope the police can find this person.
“She is lucky to be alive and I am grateful for that but he could have killed my child driving like that.”
Anyone with information is asked to call Manenberg Police Station on 021 699 9400.
monique.duval@inl.co.za