The Thohoyandou Emergency Medical Services were dealt a grievous blow, following the untimely death of one of their trusted, beloved and hardworking officers, Mr Elvis Mathaulula.

Mathaulula (36), of Siloam, who worked as a shift manager at the station, died when his vehicle and another collided at the Muledane traffic lights early Friday evening. He died instantly.

Mathaulula was loved by all at work and in the community and was described as a dedicated family man who also loved people and his work. Ms Tshinakaho Mathaulula, his wife and the mother of his two children, Ngaene (18 months) and Munei (7 years), said his death came as a shock to the whole family. Ms Mathaulula is a member of the SANDF and on special duty in Sudan. She said death had robbed them of a man who loved them all.

“He was dedicated to his family, he loved all people and he was also dedicated to his work. We are greatly saddened by his sudden and tragic passing, but we are just relying on prayers from family members, friends and colleagues," she said in a telephonic interview.

A memorial service in his honour will be held on Friday at MTG Funerals and it will be followed by his funeral at Siloam on Saturday.