Injured Limpopo crash cops discharged

The mangled chassis is all that remains of the truck. Picture: Supplied

The mangled chassis is all that remains of the truck. Picture: Supplied

Published Feb 28, 2014

Share

Polokwane - Two of three police officers injured in an explosion on the N1 in Limpopo were discharged from hospital on Friday morning, police said.

“The other member, whose leg had to be amputated, is still in hospital,” Colonel Ronel Otto said.

Four police officers and a truck driver were killed in the early hours of Thursday when they attended to an accident between a grocery truck and a truck carrying explosives between Polokwane and Mokopane.

The grocery truck rear-ended the truck carrying blasting caps around 1am. The driver of the grocery truck was killed.

Three other vehicles were damaged in the subsequent explosion. Otto said other people were injured, but she did not know the extent of their injuries.

“There were injuries with people in other vehicles. I think they received medical treatment, but I don't know if they were admitted to hospital or not.”

Police had opened culpable homicide and inquest dockets.

“We are in the process of obtaining statements from witnesses and our own members. It might take some time,” said Otto.

“Then the docket will be sent to court to decide if anyone can be held liable.”

A forensic team would conduct post mortems and DNA tests on Friday to help identify the bodies.

The SA National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) said the highway remained closed.

“Sanral advises that due to the severity of the crash on the N1... both the north and south bound carriageways in this vicinity are presently closed to traffic,” spokesman Vusi Mona said in a statement.

“As a result of the accident, the road has been damaged.”

Motorists were urged to use the R101, which runs parallel to the N1.

“Once our investigations and road repairs are in progress, we will be able to inform road users when the work is complete and (when) the N1 is reopened in both directions, possibly over the weekend,” he said.

Sapa

Related Topics: