“I looked around and saw my children scattered around.”
These are the words of the father of three children who lost their lives when an alleged drunk driver hit their vehicle in Belhar on Monday 4 April.
Esther (10) and Lilian (4) Links and their four month old brother Matthew were killed while travelling with their parents, Neville and Anthea. The family was on their way home from church when the other vehicle crashed into them.
The two girls died on impact while the boy passed away on Tuesday in the Rooikruis Children’s Hospital.
Neville says the first thing he remembers after the accident is seeing his wife without the baby in her arms. “I looked around and saw my children scattered around. I became hysterical,” says Neville.
When TygerBurger spoke to Neville he said everything that happened still feels like a dream. “It is almost as if it never happened, because I am struggling to process it. What makes it more difficult is my wife not being with me, because she is still recovering in hospital,” he says.
According to Neville the investigating officer told him after he gave a statement that the other driver was not drunk, but witnesses contradict this. “Many people who saw what happened and was there at the aftermath told us that the driver was definitely under the influence of alcohol. I know it will not bring my children back, but justice must be served,” he says.
He says his wife is doing well and might be released from hospital soon. “I just want her back so that we can start rebuilding our lives. I am really thankful for the support of the community.”
Ishmael Arnol, spokesperson for the local community policing forum, says they are shocked about the accident. “We want to plead with drivers not to drink and drive and respect the rules of the road. The accident was avoidable,” says Arnold.
