Isidingo star: Docs optimistic
2008-02-09 18:34
Johannesburg - Doctors on Saturday were optimistic that Isidingo star Ashley Callie will pull through following a serious car accident of Friday night.
Callie was out of surgery and remained in a stable condition by Saturday afternoon, the executive producer of the soap said.
"She is now in ICU and has remained unconscious since the accident occured... We are just asking everyone to pray for her and show support to the family," producer Pumla Hopa said.
Callie, 32, underwent surgery after suffering severe head injuries. She was reported to have been in a critical condition earlier. The surgery allowed doctors to alleviate the pressure on her brain.
The accident took place at the corner of 4th Avenue and Tana Road at around 22:30 last night, said Johannesburg Metro police spokesperson Superintendent Wayne Minnaar.
Minnaar said Callie was driving alone in a Smart Car, when there was a head-on collision with a red Renault.
"We are not sure about what the exact cause of the accident was, but police are investigating," Minnaar said.
The driver of the Renault, a male, and two female passengers were also seriously injured and transported to Milpark hospital.
Hopa said the producers and fellow actors were in shock at the incident.
"We are shocked at what has happened to Ashley. She is such a wonderful person and actress... we are saddened," Hopa said.
The SABC wished her a speedy and full recovery from the injuries sustained in the accident.
"We received with shock, the news that Ashley Callie was last night involved in a car accident. We regard her as one of South Africa's premier actresses... On behalf of the SABC management and staff, we wish her family and friends strength during this difficult time," said spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago.
Callie is best known for her role as Lee Haines in Isidingo. She won the award for Best Actress in a Soapie for her role in the series, at the inaugural South African Film and Television Awards (Safta) in 2006.
According to a website she studied a BA Dramatic Art degree with honours at Wits University.
Since then she has spent some time in London and helped run a string of restaurants when not keeping busy with her acting.
She has spent time in Cape Town doing various commercials, both for the local market and overseas.
In an interview for Top Billing magazine Callie said her character as Lee Haines was nothing like she is.
"Lee is totally unlike me in every way. She is quite alone in the world, severe, sharp, business-minded with this ice maiden label... she's far more able to deal with conflict and confrontation and is quite unafraid, I'm less rigid," Callie said.
- SAPA