MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Vusi Shongwe has called for for cautious driving amid rising fatal crashes in the province.
Nine people died in two separate crashes this morning. The first crash happened when a sedan and sport utility vehicle (SUV) collided head-on on the N4 toll road near Vosman. The deceased includes both drivers and one passenger. The SUV had two occupants, a male and a female. The victims were certified dead at the scene.
In another crash, six people were killed at the scene when the mini-bus they were traveling in overturned on R38 Road between Barberton and Manzana early on Saturday. It is suspected that the driver may have lost control of the minibus, and as a result, it overturned and rolled several times down the mountain.
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Numerous people sustained injuries ranging from serious to slight and they transported six more people sustained serious injuries, and they were transported to the nearby Barberton Hospital. The minibus was pulling a trailer at the time of the crash. The minibus was ferrying people from Johannesburg to Mozambique.
The two crashes are being investigated. The MEC called on motorists to be calmer and also avoid excessive speeding. He said those who are travelling long distances must rest sufficiently because fatigue kills.
PICTURES: Scenes from the crash:
“We have noted most deadly crashes occur at night and during the early morning hours. Some of these crashes, we believe, are attributable to fatigue. Therefore, motorists must rest sufficiently along the way when undertaking long journeys,” said Shongwe.
He also extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and the injured a speedy recovery.
