Devastating crash in Pinetown leaves family shattered

MOM, CHILD DIES

- MONISHKA GOVENDER [e-mail]

FROM left: Colleen, Zariah, Sudhir and Cassidia Sudhu.

(Supplied)

SUDHIR Sudhu says he has “big shoes to fit” as he takes care of his 3-year-old daughter, Zariah, following the deaths of his wife and elder child in a car accident last Wednesday evening.

The family of four were involved in a head-on collision on Richmond Road near Trafford Road, in Westmead, Pinetown.

The Sudhus, of Mariannhill, were on their way to visit relatives in Wyebank when their vehicle and an oncoming bakkie collided at around 5.30pm during heavy rains.

The crash claimed the life of 5-year-old Cassidia, while her mother, Colleen, 35, succumbed to her injuries two days later in hospital.

“T will miss my wife and daughter for the rest of my life. I have some big shoes to fit. A father’s love is far less than a mother’s, but I will try every day to be there for my daughter. It is only her and I now,” said Sudhu, 35, after being discharged from hospital.

Colleen's dad, Ivan Soobramoney, 64, said the family were on their way to visit him because he had been feeling unwell that day.

“My son-in-law, Sudhir, then called and told me they were in an accident. He was disoriented and could not explain himself well. Eventually, I understood they were somewhere in Pinetown, so my son and I rushed to the scene.”

He said what awaited him was unimaginable.