Two people tragically died in an accident involving a truck and a car on the R45 outside Franschhoek on Tuesday 21 July.

According to local paramedic Kurt Maske, several patients were treated on the scene, with two fatalities, two with critical injuries and the rest moderate to serious injuries.

The Franschhoek First Responders were also on the scene and helped in providing medical assistance.

The truck was transporting agricultural workers.

Head-on crash

“Preliminary investigations indicate that it was a head-on collision between a light motor vehicle travelling from Franschhoek, which collided with a truck travelling to Franschhoek on the R45,” said provincial police spokesperson Captain Frederick van Wyk.

“The middle-aged driver of the light motor vehicle died on the scene due to injuries sustained, as well as one passenger who was sitting on the back of the truck, which was carrying 28 other workers of a nearby farm. Five occupants of the truck were taken to a nearby medical facility for treatment.”

Services on scene

Franschhoek police have since opened a culpable homicide investigation.

On its Facebook page, Stellenbosch Municipality confirmed the fatal accident on Tuesday evening.

“Stellenbosch Municipality is aware of a tragic motor vehicle accident that occurred on the R45 near Paserene Wine Farm outside Franschhoek. The incident involved a head-on collision between a motor vehicle and a truck,” the post read.

Shortly after the accident, traffic services implemented a stop-and-go traffic system to regulate traffic.

Van Wyk called on anyone with information on the accident to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111.

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