Accident driver fled from police

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Published Jul 31, 2014

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Durban - The fatal Berg crash could have been avoided if the men involved had stopped at a police road block.

Six people were killed in the accident.

The men - carrying a loaded firearm and dagga - were killed when their bakkie overturned on the R617 between Underberg and Swartberg early on Wednesday.

There were 10 men in the bakkie.

KZN Emergency Medical Services spokesman Robert McKenzie said four people died at the scene of the crash just after midnight.

“We treated the passengers who were critically injured and those who suffered serious injuries,” he said.

EMS had dispatched three ambulances.

During the handover to a Kokstad hospital, two more of the injured died.

McKenzie said it was unclear where the victims were travelling from or where their destination was.

Acting MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison and Health MEC, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, expressed his concerns on Wednesday after the gruesome accident.

He said preliminary reports indicated the crash occurred after the occupants of the bakkie tried to evade police while travelling towards Underberg.

“The chase arose from an SAPS night operation of random checks,” Dhlomo said.

“It is unfortunate that six people died in an accident that could have been avoided by simply obeying the law and co-operating with the SAPS.

“We call on all citizens and road users to observe the law at all times and work with members of our law enforcement teams to create a safe society.”

Police spokesman Captain Thulani Zwane said the survivors would face charges of culpable homicide, reckless and negligent driving, possession of dagga and possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

“It is alleged that, at about 11pm, at Kingscotte Cuttings (the area between Underberg and Swartberg), a Toyota Hilux van hit the guard rails and six people died.

“Four other passengers were injured and taken to hospital.”

He said all the men were between 20 and 30 years old.

“Eight bags of dagga and a Norinco firearm with seven live rounds of ammunition were found.”

Dhlomo later confirmed that four passengers remained in a critical condition under police guard.

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