/ 30 December 2007

Actor dies in motorcycle accident

South African actor Antonio Summerton was killed in a motorcycle accident in Roodepoort on Saturday night, metro police said on Sunday.

Chief Superintendent Wayne Minaar said Summerton, who played a role in popular Afrikaans soap opera 7de Laan, was killed in an accident in Constantia Road in Roodepoort.

”The accident occurred when the man lost control of his bike and hit a light pole, cutting it in half … he was found dead at the scene,” said ER24 spokesperson Riana Beech.

Summerton was known for his roles in 7de Laan, Backstage and Binnelanders.

”It is a pity that we have to lose an actor once again in a tragic accident,” said National Democratic Convention spokesperson Margaret Arnolds.

”We will remember him for his part in 7de Laan,” she said.

According to Television South Africa (TVSA), Summerton studied drama at the University of Stellenbosch.

”Following his role in Backstage, in 2004 Summerton played the role of Duncan on the kykNET drama series Villa Rosa. He also played the guest role of Rick on the [South African Broadcasting Corporation] soapie 7de Laan in the same year.

”He has worked on the international films, Human Cargo and Red Dust, Darrell Roodt’s Lullaby and Starship Troopers,” said the TVSA website. — Sapa