Durban counts cost of storm

The storm that ripped through the Durban area on Friday night delivered a deluge of rain and hail with strong winds that uprooted trees and collapsed walls.

One of those walls collapsed in Durban’s Westville suburb killing a 55-year-old man.

ER24 spokesman Werner Vermaak said paramedics on the scene were informed that the man, another adult and two teenagers went to inspect the wall before it collapsed.

“At this stage it is not clear if they suspected damage to the wall and thus went to investigate. The wall collapsed on the man and pinned him under the rubble and water for some time.”

KwaZulu-Natal Emergency Medical Service (EMS) spokesman Robert McKenzie said two people were killed in a lightening strike in Verulam, while another two were killed in a lightning strike in Mayville.

He said EMS paramedics attended to at least another 13 people injured in the storm as a result of walls collapsing, roofs being blown off or collapsing, or trees falling on them.

On Saturday morning residents across the region could be seen removing branches that had fallen on fences, driveways, and roofs.

Roads were littered with debris from the storm and numerous roads had soil deposited by the water.

Shopper’s at Durban’s Pavilion Shopping centre had to walk through water to get to their favourite shops and movies. - ANA