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This video of the crumpled wreckage of the taxi involved in Monday night’s horrific crash was taken at RTI’s base in Midway, Estcourt, Tuesday morning.
Fourteen people were killed in a massive accident on the N3 near Estcourt in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands on Monday night.
A source said the accident occurred in the north lane during a hail storm. One of the trucks involved was apparently stabbed and the taxi swerved to try to avoid it, leading the other truck to hit the taxi.
The accident occurred under the bridge near the Midway weighbridge in Estcourt. The scene that greeted the emergency workers who rushed there was described as horrifying.
READ ALSO | WATCH: Bloody KZN Midlands crash claims 13 lives
The taxi had been crushed by the impact of the crash and body parts were scattered around the scene. A photo of the wreckage seen by The Witness is too haunting to post online.
All of the deceased were in the taxi heading to Johannesburg.
Robert McKenzie, a spokesman for KZN Emergency Medical Services (EMS), said 13 of those who died were women. He said one person was taken to the hospital.
“We would like to send our condolences to the families of the victims,” McKenzie said.
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison Bheki Ntuli issued a statement Tuesday morning calling for an urgent meeting with the freight industry following a fatal accident involving two trucks and a minibus taxi that claimed their lives. of 14 people in Estcourt last night. .
This is what was left after the tragic accident on Monday night.
This is what was left after the tragic accident on Monday night.
This is what was left after the tragic accident on Monday night.
He said preliminary reports indicate that a minibus taxi was traveling between two trucks, when the truck in front of the minibus taxi crashed and the taxi collided with it. The truck behind the minibus taxi also crashed into the taxi, leaving 14 people dead. The 14 people who died, including a driver, were from the minibus taxi and one survivor was taken to hospital in critical condition. Both truckers survived the accident.
READ ALSO | PHOTOS | KZN accident kills 13 more people
MEC Ntuli will receive this morning a full report on the ongoing investigations into the cause of the accident, which will focus on the fitness for circulation of all the vehicles involved, the weather conditions at the time of the accident and other causal factors that could have caused the accident. “the statement said.
“In the run-up to the holiday season, we have intensified our multidisciplinary law enforcement operations, which focus on driver compliance to reduce road deaths. The latest roadblocks have targeted heavy vehicles due to the high representation of these types of vehicles in collisions with fatal and serious injuries across the province in recent weeks. We have also called an urgent meeting with the freight industry to address the high number of accidents involving heavy vehicles. Collectively, as government, the private sector, and civil society, we must work together to end the scourge of road deaths. The loss of a life is too much, but the death toll of this magnitude in an accident is very devastating. We send our sincerest condolences to grieving families and promise to work even harder to improve the visibility of law enforcement and road user education, which is very critical to ending the carnage on our roads. ”Said MEC Ntuli.
MEC Ntuli also urged motorists to be more vigilant as hail storms and heavy rains are taking place across most of the province, which could lead to localized flooding and reduced visibility.
“Most of the fatal accidents that occur on our roads are the result of driver behavior, fatigue and human error. I call on motorists to ensure they drive with extreme caution, especially during rainy conditions due to poor visibility, drivers should check tire pressure, service their vehicles regularly, and make sure they are in good condition. driving conditions before embarking on a journey. It is important to note that drivers must rest properly and take intermediate breaks, especially when traveling long distances, ”said MEC Ntuli.
This is a story in development.
