Motorist held after death of volunteer

A SPEEDING motorist who ploughed his vehicle into six foreign nationals – killing a man from Sweden – on Wednesday will appear in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

The driver‚ 28‚ faces charges of culpable homicide‚ reckless and negligent driving‚ and driving under the influence of alcohol.

He crashed the vehicle into the group‚ including citizens from Denmark‚ Israel and the Netherlands‚ as they were walking home in the suburb of Table View shortly after 9pm.

Police spokeswoman Captain Adriana Chandler said the victims had been doing voluntary work and were aged between 18 and 35.

Their parents had all been notified, but the body still had to be identified, she said.

“The deceased, 18, was from Sweden. All the injured have been released from hospital and have received counselling.”

ER24 spokeswoman Chitra Harduth said the man’s condition deteriorated at the scene and‚ although he had been resuscitated‚ he died from severe injuries.

The injured were taken to hospital.

“One woman was unconscious, but the paramedics were able to treat her and she was taken to Groote Schuur Hospital.

“The rest sustained minor to moderate injuries‚ and were [taken] to New Somerset Hospital to be assessed‚” Harduth said.

Chandler said a witness had seen a vehicle driving at speed.

It veered off the road and crashed into the group, who were walking on the pavement. The driver was arrested. The tragedy occurred just hours after the City of Cape Town launched a pedestrian road safety initiative. – TMG Digital