Stranded for 26 hours on the N3 during a snowstorm, a group of 15 senior citizens, with their knees frozen and spirits nearly broken, clung to their faith and prayed for a miracle.
The group, led by 90-year-old Dorothy Rosenberg, was returning to Johannesburg in a minibus taxi after a holiday in Port Edward on Friday. They are part of a “sister group” of friends who often travel together.
Heavy snowfall in parts of Free State and KwaZulu-Natal resulted in the closure of the N3 highway in both directions, between Harrismith and the Tugela Plaza. Many in the group had only packed summer clothing and were unprepared for the freezing conditions that followed.
“Two or three had blankets to keep warm, and a couple wore winter dressing gowns. Three of us huddled in the front seat under a thin blanket. Honestly, there was no time to stay calm,” 70-year-old Hazel Harris recounted.
Despite multiple attempts to reach authorities for help and share their live location, no immediate assistance arrived.
“My friend and I were struggling, but we had to stay strong for the others. I was right next to the door, so my knees were freezing,” Harris said.
As time passed, they had to rely on themselves, fighting off the cold and hunger with limited supplies. The drivers, Scott and Johnny, ventured three to four kilometers in search of food.
“All they managed to find was a cool drink and Toppers biscuits, which became our only sustenance since Friday morning. We intended to stop at Montrose but didn’t make it,” she explained.
Harris noted that the situation became increasingly difficult, especially for the eldest member, 90-year-old Rosenberg.
“She was struggling, needing to go out every hour,” Harris said. They had no proper facilities and were forced to relieve themselves in front of truck drivers.
“We had no choice but to do it in front of the truck drivers. It was the only option,” she added.
Throughout the ordeal, they found comfort in their faith.
“We feared we might not make it, but we prayed to the Almighty. It crossed our minds that this could be our last day.”
Their prayers were eventually answered when rescue and humanitarian teams, sent by the KwaZulu-Natal government, arrived.
The group resumed their journey around 5 PM on Saturday and reached Johannesburg by 1:30 AM on Sunday.
“On our way out, we received food and drinks from Gift of the Givers,” Harris said.
“We are immensely grateful to God for sparing our lives, giving Him all the glory and honor for caring for us,” she concluded.