Nine people, including three children, died in an accident on the R31 between Daniëlskuil and Koopmansfontein in the Northern Cape on Sunday evening when a light motor vehicle and a taxi collided head-on. Another eight people were injured in the accident.
According to Russel Meiring, spokesperson for ER24, ER24 and several other emergency services were on the scene around 18:40.
“The light motor vehicle was found right in the middle of the road, while the taxi stopped on the side of the road. Both vehicles sustained significant damage in the collision.”
Paramedics found several adults and children in the light motor vehicle and Meiring says patients were also lying around the two vehicles. However, the people in the car were already dead.
According to Meiring, another eight people suffered minor to critical injuries and were treated at the scene.
“We provided the critically injured with advanced life support and after stabilizing the patients, transported them to nearby hospitals for further treatment.”
According to Sgt. Molefi Shemane, police spokesperson, the police are investigating the circumstances that led to the accident.
Lt. Gen. Koliswa Otola, provincial commissioner of the Northern Cape, expressed her deepest condolences to the victims and their loved ones.
Otola appealed to motorists to obey all road rules, be vigilant and show good driving behaviour.
