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Fund set to help their families

Mary Papayya

Mary Papayya

A fund has been set up to assist the families of the three firefighters who died in a road accident in Durban two weeks ago.

Each family will also be given plaques of honour in the men's memory.

"The plaques tell of their courage and determination and the fact that they went beyond the call of duty to save lives," said Victor Chetty, head of Hibiscus Coast Protection Services.

Senior fireman Alex Sibusiso Ngcobo and volunteer fireman Michael Ndovela, 22, were buried on Sunday. Their colleague Krinesh Moodley was buried a few days earlier.

The three were among the seven people who died in a multi-vehicle crash. They were on their way to attend to a fire when their fire-engine, a bus and a police car were involved in a collision.

Their colleague Roy Khawula was the only survivor.

He was badly hurt and remains in a critical condition in hospital.

Ndlovu and Khawula were reserve firemen and part of a volunteer programme. Ngcobo, who served at the station for 11 years, was the sole breadwinner in his family.

"This entire episode is a tragedy. It is particularly sad because Khawula and Ngcobo were reserve firefighters who were on voluntary duty when the accident took place. Ndovela was the breadwinner in his family," Chetty said.

He said the deaths of these men have left a hole in their hearts and offices.

"The three firemen went all out to add quality to our workplace. They landscaped a flower garden at our offices."

The details for the fund: Standard Bank, Margate Branch: 057528, Account Number: 053256077, Reference: 01005000500

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