A 74-year-old man from Trenance Park in Verulam was attempting to cut jackfruit from a tree in his backyard earlier today when he fell and died.
Prem Balram, of Reaction Unit South Africa (Rusa), a private security company, said neighbours called their offices, and officers headed to the home at around 11.40am
“Some of his neighbours spotted him on the floor. He was about two metres below ground level, so they could not get to him and assist him. They assumed he fell and broke a limb, so they called us to assist. On arrival, reaction officers were directed to the rear of the yard. Sadly, Valaithum Moodley, also known as George, was located behind his rear boundary fence. He showed no signs of life and was pronounced deceased by paramedics.”
Balram said according to Moodley's wife, who was “extremely emotional”, her husband used a ladder to cut jackfruit from the tree.
“It is believed the ladder slipped, which resulted in the pensioner being catapulted over the fence. His family added that he had a history of vertigo. It could not be confirmed if he died from a medical condition or due to the impact of the fall,” said Balram.
He added that the deceased's son also arrived on scene and was emotional.
Valaithum is a former employee of Packo in Verulam.