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19 July 2024
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Major collision between car and five trucks at Verkeerdevlei, on N1 between Bloemfontein and Winburg, Free State
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A motorist was killed and five truck drivers were injured in an accident on the N1 between Bloemfontein and Winburg on Thursday, 11 July 2024. The road was closed after the collision between five heavy commercial vehicles and one sedan near the Verkeerdevlei Toll Plaza. Authorities reported that one individual in the sedan was trapped and pronounced dead at the scene.
Three people sustained critical injuries, while two others suffered minor injuries.
Provincial MEC for the Department of Health, Monyatso Mahlatsi said extrication tools were necessary to rescue the injured and retrieve the deceased.
MEC Mahlatsi, accompanied by MEC Jabu Mbalula from Community Safety, Roads and Transport, visited the accident scene and were shocked by the devastation. “Road accidents are among the leading causes of death in the Free State. Deaths and injuries resulting from these accidents place an extra burden on the already overwhelmed health services,” said MEC Mahlatsi.
MEC Mbalula said, “It was a huge accident involving several trucks and one light motor vehicle, the occupant of which was unfortunately pronounced dead at the scene. Our sincere condolences to the family. Some of the truck drivers were also injured. One was taken to the hospital in Winburg and three were taken to Busamed in Bloemfontein. Our police investigators are on the scene. They will soon give us a proper report of what exactly happened."
MEC Mbalula said the message they want to drive, especially to truck drivers, is to please make sure they are rested before hitting the roads. "Also ensure that all vehicles driving on our roads are roadworthy and safe for all travellers. As the department we will communicate with our traffic component to increase visibility. As I understand it, there was a bit of a traffic jam at the toll gate, as only two payment points were in operation. We will have to look together with SANRAL and RTMC to see what we can do as a collective to avoid accidents like this."
He congratulated the emergency services and law enforcement agencies for the quick response and wished all the injured a speedy recovery.
Source: OFM News, Daily News
Three people sustained critical injuries, while two others suffered minor injuries.
Provincial MEC for the Department of Health, Monyatso Mahlatsi said extrication tools were necessary to rescue the injured and retrieve the deceased.
MEC Mahlatsi, accompanied by MEC Jabu Mbalula from Community Safety, Roads and Transport, visited the accident scene and were shocked by the devastation. “Road accidents are among the leading causes of death in the Free State. Deaths and injuries resulting from these accidents place an extra burden on the already overwhelmed health services,” said MEC Mahlatsi.
MEC Mbalula said, “It was a huge accident involving several trucks and one light motor vehicle, the occupant of which was unfortunately pronounced dead at the scene. Our sincere condolences to the family. Some of the truck drivers were also injured. One was taken to the hospital in Winburg and three were taken to Busamed in Bloemfontein. Our police investigators are on the scene. They will soon give us a proper report of what exactly happened."
MEC Mbalula said the message they want to drive, especially to truck drivers, is to please make sure they are rested before hitting the roads. "Also ensure that all vehicles driving on our roads are roadworthy and safe for all travellers. As the department we will communicate with our traffic component to increase visibility. As I understand it, there was a bit of a traffic jam at the toll gate, as only two payment points were in operation. We will have to look together with SANRAL and RTMC to see what we can do as a collective to avoid accidents like this."
He congratulated the emergency services and law enforcement agencies for the quick response and wished all the injured a speedy recovery.
Source: OFM News, Daily News
