STUTTERHEIM – The Eastern Cape Department of Transport is deeply saddened by a tragic road crash that claimed the lives of a mother and her two children on the N6 road just outside Stutterheim towards East London.
Eastern Cape Transport Department spokesperson, Unathi Binqose, said that the incident involved a sedan and a fully loaded midi bus.
He said that preliminary information indicates that the mother, believed to be in her 40s, was travelling towards East London with her two children, aged 5 and 15, when the collision occurred.
“All three occupants of the sedan tragically died on the scene,” said Binqose.
He further said that approximately 20 passengers who were travelling in the midi bus sustained various injuries and were rushed to Stutterheim Hospital for medical treatment.
Binqose said that the bus was ferrying workers home from a well-known local chicken meat processing company at the time of the crash.
“It is understood that the deceased and many of those injured are residents of Stutterheim, raising the painful reality that those involved in this crash may be known to one another,” said Binqose.
The MEC for Transport and Community Safety, Xolile Nqatha, has conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and the broader Stutterheim community.
“We are deeply disturbed by this tragic loss of life, particularly that of young children. On behalf of the Eastern Cape Department of Transport, I extend my sincere condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of those who have lost their lives. Our thoughts are also with the injured, and we wish them a speedy and full recovery. This is a painful reminder of the devastating impact of road crashes on our communities,” said Nqatha.
Binqose said that law enforcement and emergency services responded swiftly to the scene, and an investigation into the cause of the crash is currently underway.
“The EC DoT once again urges all road users to exercise extreme caution, obey traffic laws, and remain vigilant at all times, especially on busy routes such as the N6,” said Binqose.
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