As the Festive Season draws to a close, three separate crashes claimed another eleven lives yesterday [2 January 2017].
In one of the crashes five people were killed instantly when a sedan that they were travelling in collided with a truck on N4 Toll Road bypass near Schoemanskloof around 16h00 yesterday. The truck driver sustained slight injuries.
The sedan was coming from the direction of Mbombela when the crash occurred. It is believed the driver of a sedan may have lost control before colliding into a truck which was travelling from the direction of Machadodorp.
On the same road towards Machadodorp, three people died when a sedan lost control and overturned. Two people sustained serious injuries and they were rushed to a nearby hospital for further medical attention. The crash occurred around 13h00 yesterday.
Three other people lost their lives when a head collision occurred on R50 Road between Leandra and Standerton yesterday around 20h00. Both sedan drivers died along with a five year old child. The mother to the child sustained serious injuries and she is receiving treatment at Evander Hospital. The investigations are underway to determine what may led to the crashes
Mpumalanga Community Safety, Security and Liaison MEC Pat Ngomane has called on motorist to remain alert at all times to avoid crashes that continue to claim many lives on the road.
The MEC has further appealed to road users to tolerate one another, avoid over speeding, dangerous overtaking or using while they have experience fatigue. “We should always ensure our vehicles are road worthy and that those who drive are fit and proper to do so in order to avoid crashes.
Our law enforcers will continue to deal harshly with those who goes behind the steering wheel while they are intoxicated,” said Ngomane.
The MEC has further advised those who will be travelling to plan their journeys well in advance such that they are able to accommodate delays on the road which lead to increased levels of impatience that often lead to over speeding.
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Enquiries: Joseph Mabuza Contacts: Tel: 013 756 6371/ Cell: 082 678 1450
Email: emabuza@mpg.gov.za