‘R.I.P MY SPIDER-MAN’: Mother mourns six-year-old Riley after Golden Arrow bus tragedy

NewsSportLifestyleEntertainmentOpinionNews Western Cape‘R.I.P MY SPIDER-MAN’: Mother mourns six-year-old Riley after Golden Arrow bus tragedyJim Mohlala|Published 22 hours agoCopy to ClipboardAsk AI27-year-old Simoné Goliath with young Riley as he prepared for school.

A six-year-old boy who loved to sing, pray, and pretend he was Spider-Man died after reportedly being struck by a Golden Arrow bus in Elsies River.

Riley Goliath died at Tygerberg Hospital after the accident on 35th Avenue at about 6.30pm on Friday, October 16.

He had only started school this year. His mother, Simoné Goliath, 27, told IOL Media she was on her way home from work when she got a call that her son had been in an accident.

By the time she reached the scene, Riley had already been taken away by ambulance. She followed to the hospital, where she was given the news no parent wants to hear.

“When I got to the hospital, the ambulance driver told me that he had passed away,” she said.

She added, “Those words will forever stick with me”.

Goliath said she had held on to hope until then, and only afterwards learnt that her son had reportedly been knocked down by a Golden Arrow bus.

Describing Riley, she said: “He was a very loving and kind-hearted child and well-mannered.”

She said he was deeply spiritual for his age.

“My son loved to sing and preach the gospel of God,” she said.

Goliath said that Riley also adored the Marvel superhero Spider-Man, so much so that he believed he was him.

“I miss his kisses and hugs,” she said. She added that this was how he showed love to everyone he knew.

She said she had heard that the driver left the scene and went to the bus depot, where managers took her to a police station.

Goliath said she understood why the driver left the scene, saying she had heard that “the community wanted to hurt her.”

A selfie of Simoné Goliath and 6-year-old Riley during an outing.

Golden Arrow spokesperson Bronwen Dyke-Beyer confirmed the accident but gave a different account of the circumstances.

She said the bus was operating as scheduled when “the young child suddenly ran directly into its path”.

According Dyke-Beyer, the collision “could not have been avoided.”

She added that the driver was “deeply traumatised by the incident”.

She said the driver went to the nearest police station for safety and in line with company policy. This was after being allegedly threatened by community members.

She said company officials were at the scene and at the hospital, where they offered support to Riley’s parents.

“This is a devastating tragedy,” she said.

SAPS Western Cape spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel F.C. Van Wyk confirmed that Ravensmead police had registered a culpable homicide case.

“Circumstances surrounding this accident are under investigation,” he said.

Goliath says her focus is on laying her son to rest.

The family has asked for prayers and support during this difficult time.

“God truly blessed me with an angel child. May my Spider-Man’s soul rest in peace.”