Family shattered after matric learner death in freak cricket accident

Family shattered after matric learner’s death in ‘freak’ cricket accident

The family of the matric learner who died after sustaining injuries during a cricket match, say they have been left shattered.

The family of the matric learner who died after sustaining injuries during a cricket match, say they have been left shattered. Image: Krugersdorp High

The family of the matric learner who died after sustaining injuries during a cricket match, say they have been left shattered and are perplexed by the nature of the injuries that led to his death.

Sixteen-year-old Retshegofetse Sennelo from Krugersdorp High School died in hospital after colliding with another learner during a cricket match at the Christian Brothers’ College in Boksburg on Gauteng’s East Rand.

‘Devastated’

Family spokesperson and representative of Faith Community Sanctuary, Joe Mabuela, says initially they were told that the boy had collided with a team-mate hitting his head during the cricket match.

However, subsequent information they received at the hospital left them devastated.

“The doctors said this is more serious than we think, then they took him through the scan. At first, they thought it is a brain issue because the information they got is that it is the collision of heads, and the other boy had head trauma, but he is fine. So, what happened is that they did the first scan on the head, and they said there isn’t much and they did the body scan on the chest where he was complaining about the pain, and they discovered that it was internal bleeding and there was liver rapture.”

The family says they are awaiting the results of the postmortem in the hope of gaining a clearer understanding of the circumstances surrounding the death.

Mabuela says despite the immense sorrow, the family wishes to honour the boy’s life with dignity.

He fondly remembered the young man as an intellectual and remarkable individual whose life should be celebrated rather than mourned.

Krugersdorp High School will host a memorial service on Thursday and his funeral will take place on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Gauteng Department of Education has announced that it has provided support to all parties affected by the tragic incident, including the family, team-mates and the school community.