On Saturday evening, 11 July 2026, following the rugby match at Loftus Versfeld Stadium, a male pedestrian sustained fatal injuries after falling into an open excavation at the corner of Lynnwood Road and Roper Street, Brooklyn.
Following the conclusion of the match, a large volume of pedestrians was moving through the area. During this time, a man, believed to be middle-aged, fell into the excavation, hit his head on the bricks at the bottom, sustaining severe head injuries.
Bystanders, including off-duty medical doctors, nurses and trained first-aid responders, immediately entered the excavation to render emergency medical care and commence cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Advanced Life Support (ALS) paramedics arrived shortly thereafter and continued advanced resuscitation efforts. Despite these interventions, the patient succumbed to his injuries and was declared deceased at the scene.
During the rescue operation, three additional incidents were reported in the immediate vicinity:
▪️ Incident 2: An elderly male fell into the same excavation, sliding down the hole before coming to rest against an exposed drainpipe.
▪️ Incident 3: A young male bystander actively assisting with the initial rescue efforts slipped and fell into the same excavation.
▪️ Crowd Safety: A large number of bystanders gathered around the perimeter of the excavation. The weight and movement of the crowd caused sections of the edge of the excavation to collapse, resulting in loose soil falling onto emergency personnel while they were treating the patient. This created an additional safety risk for both responders and members of the public.
Scene Assessment
An assessment of the scene indicated that although there was some construction equipment, warning barriers and safety netting present in the general area, several deficiencies were observed at the incident:
▪️ Compromised safety netting: Multiple sections of safety netting had collapsed onto the ground and no longer served as an effective barrier.
▪️ Displaced barriers: Several physical barriers were observed to be unsecured and had been displaced from their intended positions.
▪️ Poor visibility: Limited public street lighting significantly reduced visibility for pedestrians moving through the area after dark.
▪️ Inconsistent site protection: Excavations closer to Loftus Versfeld Stadium appeared to have more effective protective measures in place. However, these measures became progressively less evident further along Lynnwood Road, with the excavation at the corner of Roper Street exhibiting inadequate protection for the volume of pedestrian traffic present after the event.
Operational Planning and Prior Observations
The Old East Safety Forum conducted a planned community operation in support of public safety during the rugby event. As part of our operational planning, we requested and reviewed the event’s operational and traffic management plans.
Upon reviewing the documentation, it became apparent that the closure of Lynnwood Road and the associated roadworks were not reflected in their operational planning. This was further evidenced by the Springbok team convoy also having to divert through Brooklyn due to the road closure, indicating that the impact of the construction works had not been fully incorporated into the planned route.
These observations were communicated through informal channels to the Tshwane Metropolitan Police Department (TMPD) prior to the event. However, no revised operational plan addressing the roadworks or associated pedestrian safety concerns was subsequently received by the Old East Safety Forum.
As members of the Old East Safety Forum were already deployed in the vicinity as part of the planned community safety operation, they were able to respond immediately, together with members of the public and off-duty medical professionals, to render first aid and assist emergency services.
Responding Agencies and Organisations
The following agencies and organisations responded to the incident and rendered assistance:
- Members of the public and off-duty medical professionals
- City of Tshwane Emergency Services Department
- Netcare 911
- Interactive Security
- South African Police Service (SAPS)
- Tshwane Metropolitan Police Department (TMPD)
- Old East Safety Forum Community Responders
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