Share

Man injured after hitting memorial cross

Johannesburg - A motorcyclist has been critically injured after his bike apparently hit a metal memorial cross lying on Wilgerood Road near Ouklip, west of Johannesburg, paramedics said on Sunday.

"Paramedics from ER24 and other services arrived on the scene and found the man, believed to be in his 50s, lying in the road with his bike wedged up against the embankment," said ER24 spokesperson Werner Vermaak in a statement.

"He was in a critical condition and had to be stabilised by the paramedics on the scene before he could be rushed off to a nearby hospital for further medical management."

He said, according to bystanders on the scene, the man apparently crashed into a metal cross that was lying in the middle of the road.

One bystander told paramedics the cross was planted on the side of the road as a remembrance to a previous death that took place in the area.

The bystander told paramedics that it appeared someone had deliberately ripped the cross from the side of the road and threw it onto the road.

Johannesburg metro police Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar said memorials on the sides of roads were accepted as long as they did not contravene any bylaw, and posed no danger to the public and motorists.

"As long as the cross [or memorial] does not contravene a bylaw... is not an obstruction or hindrance, as long as the cross is not a danger for the public then there is not a problem," he said.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Do you think corruption-accused National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula will survive a motion of no confidence against her?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
No, her days are numbered
42% - 396 votes
Yes, the ANC caucus will protect her
58% - 556 votes
Vote
Rand - Dollar
18.94
-0.2%
Rand - Pound
23.91
-0.1%
Rand - Euro
20.43
+0.2%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.34
+0.1%
Rand - Yen
0.13
-0.2%
Platinum
910.50
+1.5%
Palladium
1,011.50
+1.0%
Gold
2,221.35
+1.2%
Silver
24.87
+0.9%
Brent Crude
86.09
-0.2%
Top 40
68,346
+1.0%
All Share
74,536
+0.8%
Resource 10
57,251
+2.8%
Industrial 25
103,936
+0.6%
Financial 15
16,502
-0.1%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE