Tragic death of cyclist on Durban beachfront route after collision with alleged drunk driver

Durban’s cycle community is mourning the death of a cyclist killed in a head-on collision in Durban on Saturday. 

Wessel van Dyk was cycling along a popular route along Durban’s beachfront when he was hit by a vehicle, allegedly travelling on the wrong side of the road. The man was rushed to hospital but subsequently succumbed to his injuries at 3am on Sunday.

His family have now hired the services of accident specialist Craig Proctor-Parker to piece together what happened. 

Proctor-Parker explained that the route is a five-kilometre route around the beachfront where cyclists train.

“A vehicle came contraflow, on the wrong side of the road, and hit him head-on. The police should have stopped the vehicle because apparently there were events taking place at the same time,” he said.

He said the driver, believed to be a prison warden, has been arrested. 

Tributes

Friend, Michael Bell paid tribute to van Dyk.

“RIP, my friend Wessel van Dyk. You are going to be missed massively,” Bell said.

He said that while vehicles travelling in the wrong direction were not a common occurrence, crashes involving cyclists on the route remained a concern.

“It’s not a common occurrence for a car to be travelling the wrong way, but there have been quite a few crashes on that circuit where cyclists have been knocked over.

“It’s quite shocking because it is a dedicated cycling circuit, and yet many cyclists have still been knocked over there,” he said.

Joanne Clarke de Freitas also shared a tribute, remembering Van Dyk as someone whose loss would be deeply affect those who knew him.

“Rest in eternal peace, Wessel van Dyk. You will be sorely missed by all who had the privilege of knowing you, especially your colleagues. You leave a gaping hole in all our lives. Sending huge amounts of prayers, love and thoughts to your two beautiful daughters and your family. I’ll see you again,” she said. 

IOL