Sibongile Mashaba

Sibongile Mashaba

Isidingo actress Ashley Callie is recovering at the Johannesburg Hospital following a serious car accident on Friday night.

Callie, 32, made a name for herself after landing a role as Leone Haines, the daughter of power-hungry Barker Haines in the award winning soapie.

Her car collided head-on with a red Renault at about 10.30pm and she suffered severe head injuries. The occupants of the Renault, a male and two females were also seriously injured and were taken to Milpark Hospital.

Callie underwent head surgery and doctors on Saturday were optimistic that she would pull through, though she had earlier been reported to be in a critical condition.

Her sister Lauren Callie said yesterday: "Ash is still in a stable condition but she is responding well to the treatment."

The accident took place at the corner of 4th Avenue and Tana Road in Emmarentia, Johannesburg.

Johannesburg Metro police spokesman Superintendent Wayne Minnaar said, "We are not sure about the exact cause of the accident was, but police are investigating."

Isidingo executive producer Pumla Hopa urged people to pray for Callie.

"We are shocked and saddened by what happened to her. She is such a wonderful person and actress."

Callie won the award for the Best Actress for her role in the soapie, at the inaugural South African Film and Television Awards in 2006. She has been nominated for the Mzansi Star Actress award in the first annual Stars of Mzansi awards set for February 29.