A multiple vehicle collision that involves a truck and two sedans has led to the death of four people last night around 19h30 on R38 Road between Manzana and Umjindi. It is believed that one of the vehicles lost control and collided with a truck from the side before colliding head on with another sedan.
Three people died at the scene while the fourth person who is a child died later at the hospital. Two people are in a critical condition due to the severity of the injuries and they are in ICU at the hospital while two more people sustained serious injuries and they are currently receiving treatment at the nearby hospital in Mbombela. It is believed the people involved in the crash are related. The investigation into the crash is underway.
Mpumalanga Community Safety, Security and Liaison MEC, Gabisile Shabalala has expressed a concern over these crashes saying they need to be curbed because they were bringing misery to many families.
Shabalala has called on road users to note that being safe on the road is a collective responsibility of all role players including drivers and vehicle owners. She also blamed reckless driver behaviour as one of the main reasons for the seemingly unending death and injury on the road..
“We all have a collective responsibility to ending these crashes. We need drivers who will respect road rules at all times and also use the road in a considerate manner if we are to win the war on road crashes. We must all play our part because government alone will not win the war on the bloodshed on the road. They must refrain from driving under the influence of alcohol or when they are tired because fatigue also kills,” the MEC said.
MEC Shabalala is also sending condolences to the affected families and she is also wishing those who were injured a speedy recovery.
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Issued by Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison
Enquiries: Moeti Mmusi
Contacts: 084 411 3372 or 079 291 0664