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17 July 2026
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Five killed in horror Garden Route N2 crash, including a family of four
A 13-year-old boy, his brother and their parents were killed in a head-on crash between a minibus and an SUV on the N2 outside Heidelberg on Tuesday. The fifth victim was Michelé Lombard, 34, a beloved resident of an Oudtshoorn care centre for adults with intellectual disabilities. She was travelling in the minibus when the freak crash occurred at 9.30am. Emergency services, traffic officials and members of the South African Police Service responded to the scene. The N2 remained closed while rescue, recovery and investigation operations continued. Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Christopher Spies said a culpable homicide docket had been opened following the crash, which also left 10 people seriously injured.
"On arrival the members found a Toyota minibus and an SUV. The vehicles collided head-on and three occupants, two women and a man, sustained multiple injuries," Spies said. "They were later declared dead by medical personnel."
Spies said two more occupants were taken to hospitals in Cape Town and Riversdale with multiple injuries, but both later died.
The 13-year-old boy died on Tuesday night, while his 20-year-old brother died in a Cape Town hospital on Wednesday morning. The brothers, their father, 44, and mother, 41, are believed to have been one family travelling in the same vehicle. Spies said the family could not yet be publicly identified.
Ten occupants of the minibus sustained serious injuries and were taken to nearby medical facilities.
Spies said it was believed the minibus was travelling towards Swellendam and the SUV in the opposite direction at the time of the crash.
Lombard was a resident of the Eljada Nasorgsentrum, a residential care facility for 100 adults with intellectual disabilities. The centre paid tribute to her in an emotional Facebook post, written in Afrikaans. "It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of one of our beloved residents, Michelé Lombard," the centre said. "Michelé was so much more than just a resident of Eljada Nasorg. She was a friend, a teammate and a beloved part of our Eljada family."
Hessequa Mayor Grant Riddles said he was saddened by the tragedy. "Our hearts go out to everyone affected by the tragic accident on the N2 outside Heidelberg," Riddles said. "We pray for God's comfort for the families who have lost loved ones, as well as a speedy recovery for all those who were injured."
Spies said the investigation was ongoing.
Heidelberg is a small town in the Western Cape's Garden Route region, roughly halfway between Swellendam and Riversdale.
Sources: IOL
"On arrival the members found a Toyota minibus and an SUV. The vehicles collided head-on and three occupants, two women and a man, sustained multiple injuries," Spies said. "They were later declared dead by medical personnel."
Spies said two more occupants were taken to hospitals in Cape Town and Riversdale with multiple injuries, but both later died.
The 13-year-old boy died on Tuesday night, while his 20-year-old brother died in a Cape Town hospital on Wednesday morning. The brothers, their father, 44, and mother, 41, are believed to have been one family travelling in the same vehicle. Spies said the family could not yet be publicly identified.
Ten occupants of the minibus sustained serious injuries and were taken to nearby medical facilities.
Spies said it was believed the minibus was travelling towards Swellendam and the SUV in the opposite direction at the time of the crash.
Lombard was a resident of the Eljada Nasorgsentrum, a residential care facility for 100 adults with intellectual disabilities. The centre paid tribute to her in an emotional Facebook post, written in Afrikaans. "It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of one of our beloved residents, Michelé Lombard," the centre said. "Michelé was so much more than just a resident of Eljada Nasorg. She was a friend, a teammate and a beloved part of our Eljada family."
Hessequa Mayor Grant Riddles said he was saddened by the tragedy. "Our hearts go out to everyone affected by the tragic accident on the N2 outside Heidelberg," Riddles said. "We pray for God's comfort for the families who have lost loved ones, as well as a speedy recovery for all those who were injured."
Spies said the investigation was ongoing.
Heidelberg is a small town in the Western Cape's Garden Route region, roughly halfway between Swellendam and Riversdale.
Sources: IOL