Financial relief for late cyclist’s family
There has been some financial relief for the family of the 17-year-old Bonteheuwel cyclist who died in Sea Point last month, as his hospital bill has been mostly written off.
Calib De Kock was cycling on Beach Road when he collided with a car door on Tuesday June 11 (“Teenage cyclist dies after Beach Road crash”, June 25).
The Bonteheuwel High School pupil was admitted to Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries (“Cyclist’s death leaves family in debt”, July 11).
His family received an invoice for R360 000 from Christiaan Barnard Hospital and other medical practices.
Shadeeran Govender, general manager of Netcare Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital, said: “We can confirm that as a compassionate gesture of goodwill, the hospital costs have been entirely written off,” he said.
“We are also grateful for the generosity of the independent healthcare practices and services that are in business for their own account that have also agreed to reduce their fees or provide their services pro bono to help significantly relieve the financial impact on the family,” Mr Govender said.
Morton and Partners Radiologists released a statement saying: “We at Morton & Partners Radiologists want to share that, as of Wednesday, 10 July, we have written off the account related to this deeply moving incident. Our accounts department will be reaching out to the family shortly to personally convey this message.
“This story has touched all of us profoundly, and our hearts go out to the family during this difficult time. We extend our deepest sympathies and support.”
Calib’s mother, Anthea de Kock, 44, is a cleaner at Lighthouse Ministries, and said the family is overwhelmed and grateful.
“We give God the glory and the honour, we truly saw the hand of God during this time and we can only thank God. We are thankful and grateful to the hospital for what they have done. They were compassionate during the time of Calib’s death and for this debt to be written off I can only thank them for their compassion,” an emotional Ms De Kock said.
Ms De Kock said the family still needs to meet with the Western Cape Blood Service to discuss their account.
A group of cyclists have placed a “ghost bike” at the intersection of Main and Oliver Roads in Sea Point where Calib crashed.
“A ghost bike is symbolic of the death of a cyclist at the spot where the bike is placed as remembrance to the life that was lost. It is also a reminder to drivers to take care on the road and be on the lookout for cyclists who are extremely vulnerable on the road,” said Neil Robinson, CEO of the Pedal Power Association.
