A Wynberg man says a visit to his family in Pelican Park nearly killed him after he fell into an open drain on Christmas Day.
Reza Williams, 51, says the stormwater drain located on the corner of 11th Avenue and Strandfontein Road did not have a cover, and the incident left him with two broken ribs and a broken finger.
“I was on my way to family and while walking on the pavement I just disappeared off the road.
“I am 1.87 metres tall and that drain was deep, about 2.5 metres,” he says.
“The fall knocked the wind out of me. My back got injured and I broke my middle finger of my right hand.
“I struggled to get out, but managed to climb out by using an iron ring embedded into the concrete.”
Drain. Photo: SUPPLIED
A few days later, his abdomen started paining severely and he went to Victoria Hospital where X-rays revealed two of his ribs were also broken.
“I was shocked as I thought it was just bruised.
“Then a few weeks later in February, I was unable to breathe, sweating profusely and an ambulance rushed me to the hospital,” Reza says.
He was rushed to the theatre.
“After the surgery doctors revealed I had blunt force trauma syndrome.
“The fall resulted in damage to my liver, which in turned seeped liquid into my abdomen which was poisonous, they drained out 1.25 litres of liquid.
“The anaesthetist says I died for 37 seconds on the operating table and had to be resuscitated,” he says.
Reza spent nine days in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and seven days in the general ward.
“I am still struggling to breathe. I went to Pelican Park last week and the drain is still open.
Reza Williams. Photo: SUPPLIED
“I will be taking further steps against the City because of this,” he adds.
Ian Neilson, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Finance, says the missing drain cover was likely the result of vandalism, theft or other damage.
To institute a claim, Reza needs to produce photographs and documents depicting the location of the incident, medical records and witness statements.
The claim form can be found at the nearest City Customer Care Office or download it from the City’s website, said Neilson.
robin.francke@inl.co.za