Community unites to aid families after fatal accident

THE Upper Highway community and businesses have rallied together to help the families of two women, who died after they were run over while walking home from work.

- TASCHICA PILLAY

Pratiksha (Kiasha) Haripersad, 21, and Simone Ganesan, 15, were walking to their homes in Gillits around 3pm on June 23 after leaving work in Kloof, when tragedy struck on the M13 highway.

Haripersad died on the scene and Ganesan succumbed to her injuries on Friday night.

Haripersad’s father, Sunjeeth, said Pratiksha’s death was a huge loss to the family.

“I usually fetch both girls from work. On that day Pratiksha called when I was at work to say not to pick them up. I did not know they were going to take a walk home as it was about 30 minutes from their work.

“I then got a call from Brett, from the Kloof Spar where they both worked, informing me of the accident. By the time I got to the scene Pratiksha had passed away,” said Sunjeeth.

He said both women were struck by two vehicles as they walked on the side of the roadway.

“Pratiksha had been working for three years. She and I were the only ones working at home. She used to help with the groceries, school fees for her siblings and other expenses at home,” he said.