"Prayers for the Family": 19-Year-Old Aspiring Chef Dies in KZN Head-On Crash After Final Exam

• Alexis-Jayde van Wyk was on her way home after completing her final practical at the Jackie Cameron School of Food and Wine
• Her boyfriend Aiden and a Hilton couple were also injured in the crash on Sweetwaters Road and remain in critical condition
• Her mother Celeste only learned of her daughter's death when she arrived at the hospital and spoke to a paramedic

Alexis-Jayde van Wyk, a 19-year-old student chef from Hilton, KwaZulu-Natal, died in a head-on collision on Saturday, 25 October 2026. The crash took place just hours after her final exam of the year.

Alexis-Jayde was a first-year student at the Jackie Cameron School of Food and Wine. She and her boyfriend, Aiden (19), also a student chef, were travelling home along Dennis Shepstone Drive, commonly known as Sweetwaters Road, when their car was struck head-on by another vehicle at around 10 pm. A Hilton couple, Devon Cronwright and his wife Rosie Cronwright, who were in the other vehicle, were also injured. All three survivors remain in critical condition in hospital.

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Celeste van Wyk, Alexis-Jayde's mother, received an SOS alert on her phone before calling Aiden's mother, who confirmed the crash. When Celeste reached the hospital, staff directed her to the male ward, and she realised her daughter wasn't there. A paramedic then told her that Alexis-Jayde had died at the scene. Paramedics had found her faintly breathing, used the jaws of life to free her from the wreckage, and attempted resuscitation, but she did not survive her injuries.

SA raises money for van Wyk family

Earlier that day, Alexis-Jayde presented her high tea practical exam, themed "Pooh Bear" after her favourite childhood character. It marked the end of her first year of studies and should have been a joyful occasion. Jackie Cameron, founder of Jackie Cameron School of Food and Wine, paid a deeply emotional tribute to the young student. "Some news leaves you completely shattered, and this is one of those moments," she said. "She had exactly the kind of attitude this industry needs. I was so excited about her future in food." Cameron described Alexis-Jayde as someone with a "freshness and innocence" that made her a breath of fresh air in every room she entered.

Celeste has since launched a BackaBuddy campaign to cover the costs of her daughter's memorial service. The public has made donations worth R100,000 with a goal of raising R175,000. Celeste wrote: "My dear angel, mom loves you so much! It's only three days since you're gone and I am beside myself."

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The uMgungundlovu District police spokesperson, Sergeant Sifiso Gwala, confirmed that Hilton police are investigating a case of murder by negligence. Read the original post that moved thousands to share their condolences:

Mzansi mourns young chef

South Africans were heartbroken after hearing the news:

Melleney Ernest wrote:

"Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and may the perpetual light shine upon her and may her soul and the souls of the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. To her parents, siblings, close relatives, friends and colleagues, my deepest condolences on her tragic passing. I am just a stranger, but I am heartbroken for you all. May God give each of you strength and courage in the days ahead."

Desiree Manuel said:

"Praying for strength and comfort for the bereaved family and a miraculous recovery for all those injured. Lord, only you know."

Bridget September wrote:

"RIP angel."

Mary Claassen added:

"Condolences to her mom and family. Rest in peace, sweet angel and rise in glory."

Betsie Louw shared:

"I'm so sorry."

Cookie Harichand wrote:

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"Sending prayers for the family."

Other Briefly News stories about tragic losses

• Tragedy struck the Stellenbosch community after a mother succumbed to her injuries in hospital on 28 October 2026, just days after a fatal collision on the Helshoogte Pass claimed the life of her six-year-old son, Berto-Lee Adams.
• Ian Visagie, a 27-year-old resident of Welkom in the Free State, tragically lost his life in a motorcycle collision with a truck outside Riebeeckstad while travelling to collect his wife from her parents' home on 20 October 2026.
• Fredrico Konstabel, a 14-year-old Grade 9 learner in De Doorns, Western Cape, tragically lost his life on 8 October 2026 during excitement surrounding his school's matric farewell event.

Source: Briefly News