Prayers for first responders, CPF-family, in street where seven year old died
Middelburg's crime fighting fraternity is in mourning following the death of a seven year old girl in Meyer Street this afternoon, where she was struck by a truck while riding her bicycle with her brother.
The girl's father, who is currently in Turkey, will be arriving in South Africa tomorrow around 12:00.
The man, who is a contractor, also serves as an Executive of the Local Community Policing Forum's Sector One command.
The seven year old was out on a bike ride with her brother when she was struck by the truck.
The truck mounted the pavement the girl was rushing towards, after her brother mounted the curb to get out of traffic.
The devastated boy threw down his bicycle and ran home to inform his grandfather of the accident.
The boy's uncle rushed to the scene, where family members later joined.
CPF Chairperson Juanitha Groenewald meanwhile, also rushed to the scene to support her fellow CPF members, many of whom left work to support their CPF colleague's bereaved family on the scene.
Groenewald requested the presence of local Pastor and veteran Chaplain, Callie Joubert, who prayed for first responders including SAPS, local fire brigade, emergency services, pathology services, local criminal record centre, as well as all the CPF members who gathered on the scene.
The majority of the first responders that assisted are also parents.
'We are a family, and the father, who is heading back to South Africa overnight, is one of the CPF's most beloved and hard working members,' Groenewald says.
She added the outpouring of love from the community following the tragedy has been incredible.
'We are doing everything we can to support them, and ask that the community allow the family to reunite in their grief with dignity and respect'.
She thanked Chaplain Joubert for his support and spiritual guidance, not only to the family of the girl, but to all first responders he's been supporting over many years in service.
Joubert is also a trauma counsellor.
Meanwhile the Middelburg community has responded with outrage over the accident which they blame solely on the number of trucks moving throughout town.
A call has been made for the community to unite in an effort to force law enforcement to keep trucks off our roads.
READ MORE HERE: https://www.citizen.co.za/middelburg-observer/news/2025/06/17/not-for-sensitive-readers-girl-on-bike-ride-with-brother-killed-in-meyer-street/
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