Fund set up for the Moutonshoek grooms involved in road collision

A fund has been set up through the in South Africa for the Moutonshoek Stud grooms who were involved in a road accident on Sunday, on their way back from the Emperors Palace National Yearling Sale in Johannesburg.

Karel Skirmaans, Andreas Swarts and Nico Ockhuis lost their lives when the Greyhound bus they were travelling on was involved in a head-on collision on the N1 route between Johannesburg and Worcester.

Colleague Pieter Johnson was taken to hospital with a leg injury while Jerome Jakobs, Jaco Kito and Hendrik Saroon escaped unscathed according to a Facebook post by the farm's Romi Bettison.

"I cannot even begin to describe the hole I have in my heart," Bettison wrote. "These men I can only describe as family. To Karel, Monkey [Andreas Swarts] and Nico: you were true horsemen, true gentlemen and carried hearts of gold. They were dedicated, passionate and faithful to their jobs.

"Karel was their voorman [foreman]. He looked after the team at Moutonshoek for 15 years. He is responsible for training almost every single groom on that farm. He is responsible for teaching me many things, I have irreplaceable knowledge that he has given me."

Bettison continued to pay tribute to Swarts and Ockhuis.

"Monkey – or Ben 5, what a man. Small in size but huge in heart," she wrote. "From looking after the foalings, to sparkling up the horses for the sales ring, he was a truly talented young man.

"Nico – with similar skills to Jaco – was only getting better and better with a horse. So gentle and patient and quick to learn. Always a smile on his face and a laugh that got everyone laughing with him."

Anyway wishing to donate to the fund should complete a bank transfer to the following account, making sure to use the reference "GroomFund".

Recipient's Bank Identifier Code (BIC) / SWIFT code
ABSAZAJJXXX

Recipient's bank address
ABSA TOWERS NORTH FLOOR 1,
180 COMISSION STREET,
JOHANNESBURG 2001

Recipient's bank country
SOUTH AFRICA

Recipient's bank account number
4070723624

Recipient's name
TAG Foundation

Recipient's address
TAG House, 7 Albury Business Park,
Cnr Jan Smuts Ave & Albury Rd,
Dunkeld

Reference (must be included)
GroomFund