Cyclist’s death leaves family in debt
The death of 17-year-old cyclist Calib de Kock has left his family with a hospital bill of little more than R360 000.
Calib was cycling on Beach Road in Sea Point when he collided with a car door on Tuesday, June 11.
He was admitted to Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries (“Teenage cyclist dies after Beach Road crash”, June 25, 2024)
His mother, Anthea de Kock, 44, who lives in Bonteheuwel, and is a cleaner at Lighthouse Ministries, said her daughters have been keeping the details of the hospital bill from her as they don’t want to cause her more stress.
“The hospital (staff) was amazing, what they did, and how they handled the situation. They made us comfortable during that time and the doctors were compassionate, they kept us informed and were kind to us,” Ms De Kock said.
“My daughters know about the hospital bills and they don’t want me to know as they don’t want me to stress about it,” she said.
Ms De Kock said Phoenix Cycling Club, which Calib belonged to, have also been helping.
Graham Hector, acting chairman of Phoenix Cycling Club, said there is a possibility that the amount owing could increase.
“Calib’s family is not by any means to contribute to a medical aid. The bills amount to approximately R361 000 and we are careful not to announce this as the final total as there may be additional bills added,” said Mr Hector.
“The family has approached the hospital, stating their lack of funds and asked for consideration. There has not been a response from the hospital, physicians, ambulance services yet, we are hoping for a collective response and understandably, this may take some time from their side.”
Mr Hector says that the cycling club has fund-raising experience, but not for such a large sum.
“Should the hospital, physicians and related parties not write off costs incurred, we will have to seek other means of covering costs. The club members have contributed to the funeral and would be of assistance with any other form of fund-raising,” he said.
The Pedal Power Association (PPA) said they do not provide financial assistance, but they do advise their members on how to file a claim.
“If they have difficulty in claiming from a driver in a company vehicle, we contact the company and assist accordingly. The onus is on the cyclist to pay for injuries, and we always advise them to take out insurance on bicycles and it is always best to have medical aid or medical insurance if at all possible,” said Neil Robinson, the association’s CEO.
The PPA said one of their many membership partners, CycleSure, provides options to cover death and disability up to R200 000 and personal injury up to R50 000.
“Should a cyclist die in an accident and he or she was the breadwinner, a claim can be lodged by the family to the Road Accident Fund. If a cyclist loses a limb or can no longer earn an income, a claim can also be lodged,” he said.
“We again extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of Calib de Kock,” said Shadeeran Govender, general manager of Netcare Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital.
“Netcare respects the family’s privacy, and we will be directly in touch with the family today to see how we can possibly assist in relieving the hospital aspects of the financial burden at this most difficult time,” he said.
• This past Tuesday, the hospital's finance department contacted Lilian de Kock (Calib's sister) and confirmed that R78 000 will be waived off.
"There are various bills that we received and they amount to just over R360 000. There is an anaesthetist bill, a bill from the trauma unit, blood tests and scans as well. We are happy that they decided to write off this amount and they also said they will speak to the other departments about the various monies owing, so we are positive about the outcome," said Ms De Kock.
The hospital confirmed the R78 000 write-off to the Atlantic Sun and advised that once all is finalised, the De Kock family will be updated.
(This story has been updated since the Atlantic Sun’s print deadline on Tuesday July 9).
