The group of seniors during their vacation in Port Edward. (Provided by Hazel Harris)
- A group of elderly travellers, the oldest of whom was 90 years old, were stuck for 26 hours during a snowstorm on the N3.
- They were ill-prepared for the freezing temperatures and battled the cold and hunger with limited resources.
- When the rescue teams arrived, they were able to continue their journey back to Johannesburg.
With frozen knees and near-broken spirits, a group of 15 seniors clung to their faith and prayed for a miracle as they were stranded for 26 hours on the N3 in the midst of a snowstorm.
The group, the eldest of whom was 90-year-old Dorothy Rosenberg, returned to Johannesburg on Friday in a minibus taxi after their holiday in Port Edward.
They are part of a ‘sister group’ of friends who regularly travel together.
Heavy snowfall in parts of the Free State and KwaZulu-Natal led to the closure of the N3 highway in both directions, between Harrismith in the Free State and Tugela Plaza in KwaZulu-Natal.
KwaZulu-Natal Cogta MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi said Sunday that at one point 1,823 vehicles were stuck between Van Reenen’s Pass and Mooi River Plaza.
The seniors, many of whom had packed only summer clothes for their vacation, were unprepared for the freezing temperatures that followed.
“Two or three people had blankets to keep warm. One or two had winter bathrobes.
“There were three people in the front seat with a thin blanket that we were trying to cover ourselves with. To be honest, there was no time to be calm,” 70-year-old Hazel Harris told News24.
The taxi the group was traveling in was covered in snow. (Supplied by Hazel Harris)
Delivered
Despite numerous attempts to call authorities for help and share their location live, no immediate assistance was forthcoming.
“My friend and I broke down. We had to hold ourselves back because of the others.
“I was sitting right by the door, so my knees were frozen,” Harris said.
As the hours passed, they had to fend for themselves, braving the cold and hunger with limited resources.
Scott and Johnny, the drivers, braved the cold and walked three to four kilometers in search of food.
“All they could find was a cool drink and Toppers cookies, which had been our only food since Friday morning.
“We were going to stop in Montrose, but unfortunately we didn’t make it,” she said.
According to Harris, the situation became increasingly dire, especially for the oldest passenger, 90-year-old Rosenberg.
“She wasn’t so good because she had to go outside every hour.”
She said the lack of proper facilities forced them to relieve themselves in front of truck drivers.
“We had to relieve ourselves in front of truck divers sitting in their trucks. There was no other way, but we had to relieve ourselves,” Harris said.
Dozens of vehicles were stuck in the snow. (Zizi Miya/Supplied)
Delivered
Harris said they found comfort in their faith.
“We were afraid we wouldn’t make it, but we called on the Most High. You realize that this could be your last day.”
She said their prayers were answered when rescue and humanitarian teams sent by the KwaZulu-Natal government arrived.
The group continued their journey on Saturday at around 5pm and arrived in Johannesburg at 1.30am on Sunday.
“On the way out we got some food and drinks from Gift of the Givers,” Harris added.
“We are very grateful to God for sparing our lives and giving Him all the honor and glory for the care He provided for us,” she said.
Iavan Pijoos
www.news24.com
