Cow charges car
KNYSNA - Repair work will be done on the fencing on the N2 between Knysna and Hornlee - and all citizens are requested not to vandalise or steal parts of this fence that keeps animals and people off this national road, said Sanral.
This comment comes after a recent accident where a cow charged into a car and did significant damage to the vehicle.
The story of how a cow charged a car on a national road near Hornlee in Knysna, and a giant pig in the road on the N2 at the same time, could almost be funny if it weren't so dangerous.
Janine Hills was recently visiting Knysna when a cow 'came out of nowhere' and charged into the side of her car before running away. The incident happened on the N2 on 16 March, while Hills and her sister Michelle were travelling towards Plettenberg Bay. She says she is lucky to have escaped with her life.
They were near Hornlee, just before Nekkies, when the cow charged at them, she said.
"I just feel blessed to be alive. Thankfully my sister Michelle who was in the passenger side of the car wasn't hurt, although [that] side of the car was totally smashed," said Hills.
She said it was fortunate they weren't going fast and that the cow's horns didn't go right through the door.
"I was shaking like a leaf," said Hills, who went to the Knysna police station to report the incident later that day.
"The police were very professional and took it seriously. They said they probably knew who the owner of this cow was, but couldn't find him."
Hills said that while the cow probably had a huge headache from the accident, she now has a R10 000 bill to foot for the excess on an insurance claim of a hire car.
She felt that it was important to bring this accident to the attention of the community because of the danger posed by animals on the N2.
"Is this McDonald's farm on a national road or what? The Knysna community needs to step in and do something about it before somebody does get killed," she said.
The police said that an accident report was
lodged at the Knysna police station following an alleged incident on the N2 highway on 16 March 2024 at about 11:45.
"It is alleged that the vehicle, a Toyota Starlet, was travelling along the highway at the time of the incident. No injuries were reported."
The police said the matter should be referred to the South African National Roads Agency (Sanral).
Municipal Manager Ombali Sebola confirmed that the N2 is under the jurisdiction of Sanral, but said, "A multifaceted approach needs to be implemented to mitigate animals on roads, including public awareness campaigns and collaboration with local authorities and respective communities. Together we can work towards creating a safer environment for both humans and animals."
Randall Cable, Sanral's Western Region manager, responded as follows: "The N2 between Knysna and Hornlee falls under both Sanral and the Knysna Municipality’s jurisdiction. Sanral's Routine Road Maintenance (RRM) team was not informed of this incident at the time.
"The fence on the west side has just been replaced due to theft and vandalism while repairs to the fence on the east side will continue next week [first week of April]. The area in question is prone to animals straying onto the N2, often gaining access via the municipal roads and due to damaged or stolen fences. Sanral furthermore appeals to the community to report any acts of vandalism and theft of fencing to the local police, as the money spent on regular repairs and replacement of infrastructure could be better used in extending our services on the network."