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Two major crashes leave 12 dead within hours in KwaZulu-Natal
KZN Department of Transport, Community Safety and Liaison MEC Sipho Hlomuka decried the death of 12 people in two major crashes over the long weekend. The department said that the accident was on the N3 at the Bergville intersection involving a minibus taxi and a truck, instantly killing seven people. Other occupants sustained injuries and were taken to a local hospital. “Preliminary reports suggest that a minibus driver lost control and veered towards the direction of a truck”, said the department.
KZN Emergency Medical Services spokesperson Robert Mckenzie described it as a serious and tragic crash on the N3 highway between Bergville and the Tugela Plaza. “Tragically seven people sustained fatal injuries. Paramedics from KZN EMS, together with their colleagues from several private ambulance services, have treated six patients at the scene for injuries ranging from serious to critical,” he said. In the second accident, on the N2 near Galleria Mall, a Toyota Fortuner collided with an Opel Corsa, leaving five people dead. “At approximately 20h30 on Sunday night, Emer-G-Med paramedics together with Netcare911 responded to the scene of a collision on the N2 south near the M37 in the Amanzimtoti area. Reports from the scene are that two vehicles collided. Five people, among them a four-year-old child, suffered fatal injuries and were declared dead on arrival of paramedics. Three others were treated and stabilised on the scene for moderate injuries and transported by ambulances to nearby hospitals for further medical care,” reported Emer-G-Med. “A team of forensic investigators is currently working on both accidents. The investigation will also look at the driver behaviour, roadworthiness of the vehicles, vehicle licences, drivers’ licences,” the department said. It said that torrential weather could not be ruled out in some of these accidents, however, the Department of Transport has appealed to road users to adjust their driving and be extra cautious. Hlomuka called on road users to behave responsibly as the Christmas weekend is fast approaching. “As part of the plan for the long weekend, we embarked on many proactive plans to reduce the levels of crashes. It is unacceptable that 12 people lost their lives on the road. Our teams working with other agencies are investigating the possible causes of these fatal accidents. We also wish to extend our deepest condolences to all affected families. As we are approaching the Christmas weekend, we will improve (the) deployment of traffic police in strategic areas and we also appeal to road users to work with us,” Hlomuka said. Sources: IOL, KZN Emergency Medical Services, Emer-G-Med, Netcare 911 |
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