Heavy snowfall in various parts of the province has claimed the life of one person who died in an accident earlier this morning.
Police are thus warning motorists travelling on the N10 between Cradock and Cookhouse to use alternate routes as the road is closed due to the accident involving two trucks and a bakkie about 40kms from Cradock this morning, July 10.
According to police spokesperson, Colonel Priscilla Naidu, it is alleged that at about 07:30 police were informed of the accident.
She said the bakkie was stationary on the side of the road when it was hit by the truck.
Naidu further said at this stage information is still sketchy.
“The driver of the one truck passed away on the scene while the seven occupants in the bakkie were taken to Cradock Hospital for treatment,” said Naidu.
She said police are still on the scene and the next of kin of the deceased man is yet to be traced.
Naidu said a case of culpable homicide will be opened.
Eastern Cape senior traffic officer, Charles Bramwell said four passes in the Eastern Cape have been closed due to heavy snowfall and slippery roads.
The passes which have been closed includes N6 between Jamestown and Komani (Penhoek Pass), R58 between Elliot and Barkley East (Barkly Pass), N9 between Graaff-Reinet and Middelburg (Lootsberg Pass) and the R61 between Graaff-Reinet and Cradock (Wapadsberg Pass).
“We do have traffic officers on the scene controlling traffic,” said Bramwell.
“Motorists are advised to avoid these roads and instead use alternative routes until the snow has subsided.”
Spokesperson for the Eastern Cape Transport Department, Unathi Binqose said they have received reports of several incidents of vehicles skidding off the slippery roads due to the snowfall.
“Drivers are urged to approach the province’s mountain passes with extra caution as snowfalls continue to cause havoc in some of the Eastern Cape roads,” said Binqose.
