N3 Van Reenen’s Pass Crash ‘Miracle Baby’ Luyanda Sigubudu, 1, Reunited With Mother, 19, in Nquthu
- The 20-month-old toddler who survived the accident in which 17 people were killed on the N3 Van Reenen's Pass has been discharged from hospital
- KwaZulu-Natal provincial government officials reunited Baby Luyanda Sigubudu with her teen mother after a 10-day hospital stay
- MEC spokesperson Ndabezinhle Sibiya told Briefly News the family was receiving support to ensure dignified funerals for their loved ones
Source: Facebook
KWAZULU–NATAL — The only survivor of the horrific N3 Van Reenen's Pass accident on 6 January 2025, a 20-month-old toddler, has returned home.
Dubbed the miracle baby, Luyanda Sigubudu was among 18 people involved in a deadly crash after a taxi ploughed head-on into an oncoming truck.
'Miracle baby' Luyanda Sigubudu discharged
After spending 10 days recovering in the hospital, Baby Luyanda was finally reunited with her mother, Nqobile, 19, on Thursday, 16 January.
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The mother was not travelling with her baby when the accident happened. The KwaZulu-Natal Transport and Human Settlements Department had been monitoring Baby Luyanda's recovery before announcing on 10 January that officials had located her surviving family in Tembisa, Gauteng.
Since then, Member of the Executive Council (MEC) Siboniso Duma thanked all those who lent support.
"We wish to express our appreciation to the religious and community leaders and many others supporting the family in Nquthu," said Duma.
"Baby Luyanda was reunited with her mother [and] is recovering at the family home in Nquthu while mass funeral preparations are underway."
Government steps in to assist the family of 20-month-old crash survivor
Speaking to Briefly News, Duma's spokesperson, Ndabezinhle Sibiya, said recent heavy rainfall in KZN had destroyed their home.
Source: Original
"Duma has mandated the department to move in swiftly and build the family a temporary residential unit.
"[The rebuilding of] the house will be finished [by Friday] ahead of the funeral [at the] weekend. That was our commitment — to be with the family during this difficult period," said Sibiya.
He said the department had assigned a senior team to work with the family to ensure their loved ones received a dignified funeral.
"We will do everything in our power to ensure the miracle baby gets the necessary love, warmth and support [and] call on the private sector to extend a helping hand and nourish this future leader."
Meanwhile, authorities are searching for a Zimbabwean truck driver, whom authorities said had fled the scene after the crash.
"An investigation to determine the cause of this shocking accident is underway. However, we've quickly determined the truck driver to be Mr N Mbedezi from Zimbabwe," said Duma.
N3 collision, in which 'miracle baby' survived, claimed 17 lives
Seventeen people, of whom six were relatives, including Luyanda's grandmother Lindeni Sigubudu and grandfather Sihle Magoda, died on impact. Briefly News previously reported on 7 January that the crash involved a truck, a taxi, and a private car.
The collision happened at 8:30 p.m. on the N3 Van Reenen's Pass amid disruptive weather in KwaZulu-Natal at the time.
It is believed the taxi was heading to Durban from Johannesburg while the truck travelled southbound in the opposite direction.
The cause of the accident remains unknown, but authorities are investigating the incident.
SA angered after 4 family members die in KZN crash
In another devastating crash, four people died on the R103 between Roosboom and Colenso, near Ladysmith on 10 January.
A total of 15 other people were also injured when a car, taxi and a bakkie collided, with injuries ranging from minor to serious.
Many South Africans questioned why taxis are often involved in fatal accidents on the country's roads.
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Source: Briefly News
