DURBAN - POLICE are probing the cause of a collision between a minibus taxi and an SUV which claimed nine lives on the N2 between Empangeni and Nseleni in northern KwaZulu-Natal.
Six occupants of the taxi and three from the car died on Sunday night. Ten others, six of them men, from the minibus were being treated at Ngwelezane Hospital, north of Durban.
SAPS spokesperson Colonel Thembeka Mbele said police were investigating a case of culpable homicide.
On Monday, Transport, Community Safety and Liaison MEC Peggy Nkonyeni said preliminary reports alleged that the SUV collided with the taxi. She was deeply disturbed and concerned by a spate of crashes in KZN that have claimed innocent lives. Nkonyeni appealed to motorists to be extra cautious and to always be patient on the roads.
Sunday’s crash came a week after 13 people died in a crash on the R612 between Highflats and Ixopo.
“It is indeed a sad reality that in less than a week the province has lost more than 20 people. We cannot over-emphasise the importance of obeying the rules of the road,” Nkonyeni said.
The KwaZulu Private Ambulance (KZNPA) service said the taxi and SUV were involved in a head-on collision. Specialised equipment was used to free trapped victims.
“Sadly eight patients sustained fatal injuries and succumbed to their injuries before emergency services arrived.”
“Paramedics quickly assessed the scene and found that two patients had sustained critical injuries, six patients had sustained serious injuries, and two patients had sustained minor injuries,” KZNPA said.
Daily News