Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Neliswa Peggy Nkonyeni, has called on motorists to adhere to traffic regulations after a vehicle, allegedly overloaded, was involved in a horrific accident, claiming the lives of six people on the R74 between Kranskop and Greytown.
At around 11 pm on Saturday, 19 June 2021, a minibus taxi collided head-on with a light motor vehicle. Upon impact, both vehicles caught alight, with some of the occupants burned beyond recognition—resulting in DNA testing being the only option in the identification process.
According to reports, it is alleged that one of the drivers swerved to avoid a stationary vehicle, thereby colliding with an oncoming car. Furthermore, the occupants in the minibus taxi are believed to have been travelling from a wedding in Nkandla to Estcourt, with the second vehicle travelling from Greytown to a place of residence on the R74.
Adding to the matter, according to the preliminary investigation, the minibus taxi was overloaded, carrying 20 occupants, despite being permitted only to have 16.
Six people were confirmed dead on scene, and the 15 who sustained severe injuries were rushed to Greytown Hospital for urgent medical attention—with critical patients later transported to Grey’s Hospital in Pietermaritzburg. As a result thereof, The Department of Transport’s Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI), working with the SAPS collision unit, has already started the investigation.
Commenting in the wake of this devastating incident, MEC Nkonyeni called on motorists to be extra cautious and to adhere to the Covid-19 National Lockdown Regulations, as well as stipulated curfew. “We wish to send our deepest condolences to all the families who lost their loved ones during this terrible accident and wish the injured survivors a swift recovery. Indeed, this is a great and devastating loss to the province. We are calling upon motorists to adhere to all road traffic rules and the COVID-19 National Lockdown Regulations. No vehicle is supposed to be on the road after the stipulated curfew except for essential services.”
The MEC further stated her department would engage with the SAPS and Health Laboratory Services to speed up the DNA process to assist the families with identifying their family members who were burned beyond recognition in the wreckage.
Pixelfish Marketing and Newcastillian – Online News extends its heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased.
Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
RELATED NEWS
One Response
Condolences to the families that lost their loved ones. May God give them the strength and be there for through this triumph time