Survivor of wild horse crash advocates for road safety measures
The aftermath of the collision: Lourens Lourens' beloved Opel Corsa, 'Minki', was severely damaged after crashing into a wild horse on the R43.
Image: Supplied
Western Cape traffic authorities are concerned about cattle roaming on public roads after a spate of accidents, including one in which a young man's car was written off after he crashed into a wild horse that ran into the road.
The young man, who ended up in hospital with his friend because of the crash, is now hunting for warning signs to be put up, saying there are none along the stretch of road where the incident happened.
“I do not want this happening to anyone else,” said Lourens Lourens, of Grabouw, who had taken his friend, Jaden Wildschut, to Hermanus for the day for an outing.
But on their way back on the R43 outside Fisherhaven, towards Bot River, their trip took a frightening turn when the 24-year-old slammed into the animal while driving his beloved Opel Corsa, “Minki”.
Police spokesperson Constable Ndakhe Gwala said the incident happened on Wednesday last week.
“The office confirms that an accident report was filed at Hermanus police station following an accident at a nature reserve involving an animal," Gwala said.
Hermanus is a coastal town located in the Overstrand Local Municipality within the Overberg District.
Lourens said he and Wildschut, who is also 24, could easily have been killed and are grateful to still be alive.
He said he wanted warning signs put up to prevent the same thing happening to someone else.
“I am lucky to be alive, but Minki is not even paid off yet," he said.
"I still have to pay R4,000 every month until the end of the year, and now I will probably have to sell the car for next to nothing.
“I do not have insurance because it is difficult to afford every month.
"I suffered severe bruising and the medics were very worried about my C3 bone.
"Jaden had glass in her eyes that had to be removed... we just want to prevent something like this from happening to someone else.
“There are no warning signs there.”
He said the horse had to be euthanised after the incident.
His father, also Lourens Lourens, said he had been very concerned when he was told about the crash.
“Like any father would be,” Lourens Snr said.
He said he then tried to find out who owned the animal and eventually contacted CapeNature.
CapeNature is the Western Cape government’s conservation authority.
He wanted to know whether the animal might have come from one of its nature reserves in the area.
Emergency responders assist Lourens Lourens following the harrowing accident that left him and his friend in hospital.
Image: Supplied
Cape Argus contacted CapeNature and its legal representative, Brilaine Manasse, said: “CapeNature has been made aware of the incident.
"The allegations are under investigation in consultation with the relevant landscape.”
Lourens Snr said he just wanted someone to remove the animals from the area or, as his son had suggested, put up warning signs.
“Something must just be done,” he said.
“If the animals cannot be removed, then at least put up proper signboards so that drivers know there are horses on that road.”
He said the stretch of road could be dangerous if motorists were not aware that animals might suddenly run into the road.
“People drive there without knowing there are animals roaming around.
"A sign can at least warn drivers to slow down.”
He said the family was grateful that Lourens and his friend survived the crash.
“It could have been much worse. We are thankful they are still alive.”
Concerns grow over livestock roaming public roads, as local authorities call for better safety measures to prevent accidents like the one involving Lourens.
Image: Supplied
Overstrand mayor Archie Klaas said he was very concerned about animals roaming public roads.
"It is not only about the wild horse involved in Lourens' incident, but we have also noted that quite a number of dogs cross the road, especially in the Hawston area," he said.
"They move from upper Hawston to lower Hawston.
"We encourage animal owners to ensure that they look after their animals and make sure they do not go astray."
Klaas said it was important for residents to obey the speed limit.
"Especially between Hawston and Fisherhaven, where the accident happened, the speed limit is 80km/h," he said.
"We do have cameras in place, but we encourage people to drive with caution.
"We are also looking at further mechanisms, for instance, in other areas you will find that when you enter an area with wild horses there are warning signs to that effect."
Klaas added: "We are grateful to the provincial government and CapeNature as they continue to work with us and assist one another so that we can ensure that the R43, our provincial road, is very safe."
Mobility spokesperson Muneera Allie said the department acknowledge that livestock on public roads remained a "serious concern".
"We fully share this concern given the risks it poses to motorists, particularly in rural areas such as the Overberg region," she said.
"Fencing is one of the primary mitigation strategies and is erected by the responsible road authorities.
"However, these fences are often vandalised or broken down within a very short time, sometimes even on the same day.
"This significantly hampers the sustainability of these efforts.
"The matter of road signage to warn motorists has been elevated to infrastructure department for consideration."
She said a further challenge was the identification of livestock owners, particularly in areas adjacent to informal settlements.
After a wild horse crash, Grabouw resident advocates for road safety improvements.
Image: Supplied
Allie said legal liability in such cases rests with the police and the National Prosecuting Authority once a road user involved in an incident opened a case.
"Our officers do remove animals from national and provincial roads, such as the N2, but this is not a sustainable long-term solution.
"We also continue to work with municipal law enforcement in an effort to curb such incidents."