[imagesource:Netcare 911]

On Sunday, October 3, 2021, two cyclists, including Alex Otto, were knocked over by a taxi driver early in the morning on Bowling Avenue, near Kelvin Road, in Johannesburg.

It was reported at the time that his body and bike were dragged “for over half a kilometre” (300 metres to be exact) before members of the public stopped the taxi driver, who was apparently drunk at the time.

Netcare 911 reported via News24 that the accident was so horrific that even hardened emergency workers were shocked by it, with medics finding the severely injured cyclist trapped underneath the taxi.

GP: Cyclist dead after being dragged over half a Km under taxi, Bowling Ave @_ArriveAlive @SABCNews @TheCitizen_News @SowetanLIVE @news365coza @City_Press @SundayTimesZA @TheStar_news @IOL @News24 @Netwerk24 @maroelamedia @ewnreporter @JacaNews @RekordNewspaper @eNCA @FatalMoves pic.twitter.com/CBtNfh18DN

— NETCARE 911 (@Netcare911_sa) October 3, 2021

Otto’s friend Geoff Lee, the other cyclist who was also taken out by the taxi, was treated at the scene, stabilised and rushed to hospital by an ambulance while Alex Otto was declared dead on the scene.

His autopsy report states that a “blunt force trauma to the back of the head” was the cause of death, meaning he pretty much died on impact.

Johannesburg Metro Police Department spokesperson Wayne Minnaar told News24 the taxi driver, identified as Bongomusa Wellington Ngcobo (28 at the time), tried to run away but was prevented from fleeing by security guards and was eventually arrested for drunk driving and culpable homicide.

Now, TimesLIVE reported that the taxi driver has been served eight years in prison, with the Otto family relieved that justice has finally been served.

Back when the accident happened, family spokesperson Chani Otto told Sunday Times Daily that they has been in contact with one of the traumatised passengers who was in the taxi at the time of the collision:

She heard from one passenger how two others had been ignored when they tried to get off the taxi because of worries about the driver’s possible intoxication and that the vehicle had not slowed down even slightly when the cyclists were hit.

“In my mind, I’m struggling with the recklessness … no respect for any people, not for the two cyclists and none for eight passengers in the taxi. The ripple effect of something like this is just immense,” Otto said.

“The trauma suffered by so many people is significant … productivity, absenteeism, mental health, physical health. You can’t sleep or you have nightmares. But at the core we are all human beings. My wish is for all taxi drivers to take a moment and see the people they are transporting as family members, workers and precious human beings.”

Otto’s family and friends may well have found some solace in the verdict (although, perhaps Ngcobo should have served for way longer), but this tragic incident underlines the need for “consequences and a massive culture change” when it comes to sharing the road.

[sources:timeslive&news24]