Broken bones, torn muscles, dislocations and two months away from his home and family are what 7-year-old Luyolo Songelwa has had to endure after being hit by a speeding vehicle.
Broken bones, torn muscles, dislocations and two months away from his home and family are what 7-year-old Luyolo Songelwa has had to endure after being hit by a speeding vehicle.
Luyolo, who was hit by a bakkie near his Extension 6 home earlier this year, has returned home after two months in a Port Elizabeth hospital.
The Grade 2 NV Cewu Primary School pupil is using crutches and wears a special boot with a raised sole to compensate for shortening in his left leg caused by the trauma.
Luyolo's life changed on 18 October when he was walking alongside a neighbourhood street with his best friend's grandfather. They had just left Luyolo's best friend at school.
A bakkie missed a turn and spiralled out of control, snatching Luyolo from the anguished grandfather as its bull-bar struck him. Its wheels ran over him and he was dragged along as the bakkie ripped through the boundary fences of three houses beside to the road.
Luyolo was rushed to Settler' Hospital, but due to the severity of his injuries, which required specialist attention, he was transferred to Livingstone Hospital in Port Elizabeth.
His mother, Ntombekhaya Songelwa, said doctors told her Luyolo's bones had been crushed and the impact meant he had lost some of the bone structure.
Both Luyolo's legs were broken and both knee caps were dislocated, as well as his collar bone.
Although Luyolo is back from hospital, he is still getting treatment. Ntombekhaya said Luyolo still needed frequent check ups and physiotherapy.
She said the doctors had told her they weren't sure whether Luyolo would walk again. She said processes were under way for a claim against the Road Accident Fund.
The family has not opened a case against the driver of the vehicle.
