From left: Theolin Dorasamy, Rizwaan Julai and Kevar Gopichund.
Image: Supplied
What was meant to be a Saturday afternoon of leisure and friendship turned into tragedy when five young men were involved in a single-vehicle crash on the M4 Durban-bound near Walter Gilbert Road. Three of them died.
According to the families, the group of about 10 was travelling in three cars. While heading to the harbour for deep-sea fishing, one vehicle crashed into a tree in the centre median.
In the car were Kevar Gopichund, 24, who was driving; Theolin Dorasamy, 23, the car's owner who sat in the passenger seat; and in the back were: Rizwaan Julai, 17; Ethan Naidoo and Kaydan Pillay.
Gopichund and Dorasamy were trapped in the wreckage and died at the scene.
Paramedics stabilised Rizwaan, but he succumbed to his injuries in hospital that evening.
Ethan and Kaydan, who are cousins, remain in hospital.
All of them lived in Palmview, in Phoenix.
Pamela Dorasamy, 55, said her son, Theolin, was a mechanical engineering student.
She said the friends looked forward to their outing, and afterward, they intended to celebrate his belated birthday. He turned 23 two days earlier.
“The car belonged to Theolin, but Kevar was driving because my son did not feel well. Two other cars were following."
She said after the accident, the occupants of the other two cars were driving by when they noticed their friend's vehicle. They stopped and called the families.
Dorosamy said that when they arrived, they were told that Gopichund had died.
She said they later learnt that their son was stuck in the passenger seat and had also succumbed to his injuries.
“He was my youngest child. He was outgoing, loved his friends and loved fishing. We just celebrated his birthday on April 30. He did not get to cut the cake that day. They were meant to return at 9pm to celebrate him, but they never got the chance."
She said the three funerals, held from their homes on the same road, were on Monday.
Gopichund's sister, Rebecca Gopichund, 32, said he was a motor mechanics student, who was kind-hearted and selfless.
“Kevar never said 'no' to anyone. He was always ready to lend a helping hand. His playful spirit and warm nature brought joy to everyone around him, and his laughter could light up any room.”
She said the family went to the accident scene holding on to hope.
"We met the devastating reality that he had passed away. In that moment, our world changed forever."
Rizwaan Julai was a Grade 10 pupil at Terence Manor Secondary School.
His sister, Atiyyah Julai, 25, said: “My baby brother was humble, reserved and kind. He will be deeply missed.
"He helped the elderly frequently, often taking them home and buying groceries with his spending money."
When Julai arrived at the accident scene, she said: "I saw my brother on the floor covered in blood while the paramedics tried to resuscitate him. I fell to my knees.”
The family followed the ambulance to hospital, hoping for a miracle.
The doctor advised her and her dad that Rizwaan was on a ventilator and had serious head trauma.
"He was critical. We sat outside the hospital waiting and praying. At 9.40pm the doctor told me my brother had passed away.”
Julai said the loss had compounded their grief.
“In March, my dad's brother died. In April, another uncle passed away, and now my brother. My parents are distraught. We do not know how to cope or go back to normality."