J&B Auto Spares mourn death of beloved colleagues

Update

GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - Messages of condolences are pouring in for the two employees of J&B Auto Spares in George who died in a gruesome accident outside Riversdale yesterday afternoon, Wednesday 13 December.

Gert Engelbrecht (53) and JD Stevens (21) were travelling from George to an accident scene just outside Heidelberg when the tow truck they were travelling in crossed the oncoming lane and came to a halt in the field. The truck overturned and immediately caught fire.

In a heartfelt message on Facebook, Belinda Smit of J&B Auto Spares writes that Engelbrecht and Stevens will be greatly missed.

“Met ongelooflike seer harte moet ons vandag die nuus deel dat hierdie twee pragtige mense van die J&B-span na hul hemelse tuiste is. Ons eer jul nalatenskap en ons is dankbaar vir jul ongelooflik bydrae oor die jare. Julle sal so baie gemis word. Julle twee was ‘n ongelooflike span saam met elke rit in Wolfie. Amper soos ‘n pa-en-seun verhouding. Soos julle saam gewerk het, so het julle 2 saam gegaan ook. Ons bid ook vir jul gesinne. Rus in vrede Gert Engelbrecht (Varkie) en JD Stevens. Rus in vrede.”

In August, J&B Auto Spares was named the Best Breakdown Service in the George Herald Best of George competition. At the time, owners Kobus and Belinda Smit said that the award did not belong to just them, but to their entire team. "We have dedicated staff members who have been with us since day one."

The accident

The accident occurred at about 17:30, approximately 4km outside Riversdale on the N2 en route to Heidelberg.

The driver was charred in the driver's seat. His co-passenger was ejected during the accident and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The tow truck was en route to an accident that occurred earlier yesterday afternoon, also on the N2 about 10km outside Heidelberg, to assist with the clean-up. In that accident, four people lost their lives. The names of the deceased have not been disclosed yet.

Minister Mackenzie extremely concerned

MEC Ricardo Mackenzie, Western Cape Minister of Mobility, today expressed deep concern about festive season road deaths.

“I am extremely concerned about the spate of traffic fatalities we have seen in the last two weeks due to various road crashes in the Western Cape. We need all road users to take the necessary safety precautions while travelling this festive season to prevent more senseless deaths during a holiday period that should be focused on enjoying precious time off with family and friends.”