A Durban father plans to pursue legal recourse after his seven-year-old son died and his twin daughter sustained critical injuries when both children fell through a malfunctioning elevator shaft inside their residential building. The accident occurred on the fourth floor while the twins played with neighborhood friends in the city center apartment complex.
Khayelihle Khumalo discovered the open shaft after other children alerted him to the emergency. He found his son motionless at the basement level and his daughter struggling to breathe, both bleeding profusely from multiple facial areas. The father carried both children from the scene without waiting for emergency responders.
Provincial police opened an inquest following the incident. Building owner Homii Lifestyle acknowledged the tragedy and announced a comprehensive investigation while citing tenant safety as paramount. The company declined to provide additional statements due to pending legal proceedings.
Khayelihle Khumalo discovered the open shaft after other children alerted him to the emergency. He found his son motionless at the basement level and his daughter struggling to breathe, both bleeding profusely from multiple facial areas. The father carried both children from the scene without waiting for emergency responders.
Provincial police opened an inquest following the incident. Building owner Homii Lifestyle acknowledged the tragedy and announced a comprehensive investigation while citing tenant safety as paramount. The company declined to provide additional statements due to pending legal proceedings.
