Fourteen lives were lost in six separate crashes in the Mpumalanga Province over the weekend. One major crash claimed six lives yesterday (20 August 2017) at about 18h30 on the R38 Road between Carolina and Hendrina.
A sedan that was travelling from the direction of Carolina towards Hendrina crashed on the Vaal River Bridge and landed on the river embankment. The driver and four passengers died on the scene and another passenger died in hospital. A seriously injured passenger who was taken to Carolina Hospital was later transferred to a Gauteng Hospital.
On Friday (18 August 2017) at about 7h30, three learners died when two bakkies, a Ford Ranger and a Nissan bakkie collided head on the D1682 Road near Denmark in the Standerton area. The driver and two passengers of the Nissan bakkie died on scene while the driver and two passengers of the Ford Ranger sustained serious injuries. It was discovered that the Nissan bakkie was driven by a learner who did not possess a driving license.
On the same day, a passenger was killed after three vehicles (a taxi, a bakkie and a sedan) collided. The crash occurred on the N4 Road near Hectorspruit in Komatipoort at about 22h00. Two drivers and a passenger were transported to hospital with serious injuries.
On the 19th (Saturday) evening at about 19h50, a pedestrian was hit and killed by an LDV on the R40 Road near Acornhoek. Another pedestrian was killed by a sedan on the R573 Moloto Road near Zakheni yesterday.
This morning (21 August 2017) at 2:25, a driver and a passenger lost their lives after the vehicle they were traveling in lost control and overturned on the R536 Road towards Kruger Gate. Two passengers who were also occupants of the vehicle sustained serious injuries.
Community Safety, Security and Liaison MEC Pat Ngomane sends condolences to the families of the deceased and wishes a speedy recovery to those who are injured. He pleads with all road users to use the roads with caution saying crashes are costing government a lot of money.
According to him, drivers need to change their behavior on the road and towards other motorists as it has shown over the years that most crashes are as a result of reckless driving, speeding and negligence.
He calls on law enforcers not to show mercy to all those who disobey the rules of the road. He also calls for harsher sentences to be given to reckless drivers in order to send a message to those who continue to break the law.
Ends…
Enquiries:
Joseph Mabuza
Contacts:
Tel: (013) 766 1579
Mobile: 082 678 1450
E-Mail: emabuza@mpg.gov.za