Polokwane - The department of transport appealed to motorists and pedestrians to be vigilant on the road after four Limpopo police officers were killed in an accident on Thursday.
Road traffic management corporation spokeswoman Thato Mosena urged motorists to be responsible on the road to prevent further fatal accidents.
“We all have a role to play in winning the battle against road carnage. One death is one death too many,” Mosena said.
The police officers and a truck driver were killed in an accident which happened between Mokopane and Polokwane.
Colonel Ronel Otto said the police officers responded to an accident scene where a truck carrying groceries had crashed into the rear of another truck carrying explosives.
“While our members were attending to the scene the truck carrying blasting cartridges caught fire and exploded,” said Otto.
The driver of the truck containing the explosives was not hurt. However, the other truck driver was killed.
It was unclear whether he died from the initial impact or the explosion.
The four police officers were killed. Three other police officers were seriously injured in the blast. Three motorists were also injured.
“The drivers of those vehicles were taken to hospital but they did not suffer any life-threatening injuries,” said Otto.
Transport Minister Dipuo Peters extended condolences to the family of the dead truck driver and wished a speedy recovery to all those who were injured.
Sapa