A RECKLESS driver knocked down a nurse, leaving her without a leg, during an alleged illegal drag racing at Thulamahashe, near Bushbuckridge, on Sunday.

The woman, Barbara Mkhonto, 45, bled to death at the accident scene. Her body was at a government mortuary yesterday awaiting a postmortem.

It is understood that the woman's leg was thrown deep into the bushes and was only found after an intensive search by police and the community in Section B yesterday.

Police said Mkhonto was knocked down by a car driven by a youth, who is said to be the son of a prominent ANC leader in the Bohlabelo region.

The youth was allegedly racing with two other drivers when he lost control and hit Mkhonto.

Mhala police spokesperson Constable Robert Makhubela said yesterday: "The BMW 5 series that the boy was driving knocked the victim before it rolled.

"We have opened a culpable homicide case and we hope to make an arrest soon," Makhubela said yesterday.

Makhubela said police were still trying to establish which hospital the youth wasadmitted to after sustaining chest injuries.