2017 Year in Review: Motorist stops to assist stabbing victim on Durban freeway
A sad reality of news reporting is that stories are very often negative or tragic in nature.
Journalists uncover incidents of corruption in the private and public sectors, report on murders, robberies and assaults and even tragic accidents on our roads on an almost daily basis.
2017 was no different.
But sometimes positive stories can be found, even as the most brutal of events unfold.
In May, Newswatch reported on a terrible incident in which a motorist who had experienced car trouble was attacked on the side of the N2 freeway, south of Durban.
The motorist stopped on the northbound carriageway just after the M7 interchange.
He was then attacked and stabbed by two men.
Medics said at the time that he was taken to hospital in a critical condition.
Newswatch was able to track down a Westville resident who stopped to assist the motorist.
John Easton said he had been driving past the stationary vehicle when he saw the size of the assailants' knife out of the corner of his eye.
Easton immediately pulled over and reversed his vehicle back towards the stranded motorist.
He said the attackers then fled across the freeway, laughing as they ran away.
NOW READ: LISTEN: Witness to Durban's N2 stabbing speaks
Community members managed to catch one of the suspects and handed him over to the police.
Dozens of people commented on the story after reading and listening to the interview with Easton.
He was described by many as a hero.
ALSO READ: Attempted murder case opened after N2 stabbing
2017 was no different.
But sometimes positive stories can be found, even as the most brutal of events unfold.
In May, Newswatch reported on a terrible incident in which a motorist who had experienced car trouble was attacked on the side of the N2 freeway, south of Durban.
The motorist stopped on the northbound carriageway just after the M7 interchange.
He was then attacked and stabbed by two men.
Medics said at the time that he was taken to hospital in a critical condition.
Newswatch was able to track down a Westville resident who stopped to assist the motorist.
John Easton said he had been driving past the stationary vehicle when he saw the size of the assailants' knife out of the corner of his eye.
Easton immediately pulled over and reversed his vehicle back towards the stranded motorist.
He said the attackers then fled across the freeway, laughing as they ran away.
NOW READ: LISTEN: Witness to Durban's N2 stabbing speaks
Community members managed to catch one of the suspects and handed him over to the police.
Dozens of people commented on the story after reading and listening to the interview with Easton.
He was described by many as a hero.
ALSO READ: Attempted murder case opened after N2 stabbing
Listen to the full interview with Easton below:
Meanwhile, the attack victim has told Newswatch he is back at work and his scars have healed. He also thanked all those who voiced their concern for him following the ordeal.
And keeping with our review of this year's big news stories, you can find more on 2017's sardine activity here.