A freak accident claimed the lives of 15 people when the trailer of a truck hit a fully loaded minibus taxi on the bypass on the N9/N10 near Middelburg on July 2.
According to the spokesperson for the Eastern Cape Transport Department, Unathi Binqose, it is alleged that at about 23:00 on July 2 a heavy-duty truck hit a stray animal and the driver lost control.
He said as the driver was trying to regain control, its trailer gave in, fell over and hit a fully loaded taxi which was driving in the opposite direction.
“The minibus taxi was travelling from the Eastern Cape to the Western Cape while the truck was going in the opposite direction. The trailer crushed the taxi, killing everybody inside it,” said Binqose.
He said the deceased included nine women and four men.
Among the victims were also a two-month-old baby and a two-year-old toddler.
Binqose said the truck driver escaped with minor injuries.
“The taxi was travelling back to Cape Town after the passengers attended a funeral in Tsolo.
“The process of identifying the bodies of the deceased is expected to commence in the afternoon. The bodies have been transferred to a government mortuary in Komani for the ease of identification by the relatives who will be coming from towns in the former Transkei region,” Bingose said.
Police spokesperson, Colonel Priscilla Naidu said the police are investigating a case of culpable homicide.
The Provincial Commissioner, Lt Gen Nomthetheleli Mene extended her sympathy to the families of the devastating crash victims.
“SAPS management in the Eastern Cape is deeply sorry for the loss of so many lives. The loss of loved ones in such a sudden and tragic manner is truly devastating, and our thoughts and prayers are with the families as they navigate through this unimaginable grief,” said Mene.
