A father and his two young children were killed on impact and the man’s wife had to be airlifted to hospital after their car collided with two large trucks on Monday night on the N2.
The tragedy has prompted Eastern Cape transport authorities to issue another appeal to motorists to drive carefully, especially at night.
The crash happened between Mount Ayliff and Mount Frere a few kilometres from the Ntabankulu turnoff shortly before midnight.
Eastern Cape health spokesman Sizwe Kupelo said the two trucks – an articulated 22-wheeler and smaller horse-and-trailer – were travelling one behind the other.
“According to one truck driver, a small Nissan NP200 bakkie travelling in the opposite direction hit one of the trucks before colliding head on with the other truck behind it,” he said.
“The father and the two children were killed on the spot.
“The wife was flung out of the car.”
Emergency personnel, who rushed to the scene, had to use “jaws of life” metal cutting equipment to extract the bodies from the mangled wreckage.
“The woman was flung out of the car and was later airlifted to the Nelson Mandela Central Hospital in Mthatha with serious injuries,” said Kupelo.
An investigation into the accident had been launched, he added.
Provincial transport spokesman Ncedo Kumbaca yesterday sent condolences to the family.
“The fact that a family was almost wiped out in one accident should serve as a reminder to us all about the need for everyone to be extra cautious when driving on the road, especially at night.”
He said the department would intensify Operation Kwanele on the route. The operation, which aims to reduce road deaths on what has become the country’s most dangerous road, was launched in 2012.
It targets nearly 1000km of the N2 from the Western Cape to the border of KwaZulu-Natal.
At the time of its launch, it was argued that most accidents on the N2 took place between 10pm and 6am.
The operation sees sporadic roadblocks and traffic police patrols being stepped up, and the aim is for traffic officials to be visible every 30km.
“We are going to intensify that operation on the N2 again. But at the same time, we call upon all road users, including truck drivers and motorists who drive smaller cars, to be extra cautious when driving at night,” Kumbaca said yesterday.
He said the department would try to assist the family.
Umzimvubu mayor Khulukazi Pangwa, who was in Cape Town yesterday, reacted with shock.
His local municipality’s jurisdiction includes the towns of Mount Ayliff and Mount Frere.
“I will try to find the family so that we can see how we can help, comfort and support them,” she said.
Monday’s accident comes soon after six people, among them two Mthatha teachers and a pupil, were killed in two horrific accidents on the N2.
This year so far 39 people have been killed in road accidents on the N2. — sikhon@dispatch.co.za
Dad, kids killed in N2 crash
The tragedy has prompted Eastern Cape transport authorities to issue another appeal to motorists to drive carefully, especially at night.
The crash happened between Mount Ayliff and Mount Frere a few kilometres from the Ntabankulu turnoff shortly before midnight.
Eastern Cape health spokesman Sizwe Kupelo said the two trucks – an articulated 22-wheeler and smaller horse-and-trailer – were travelling one behind the other.
“According to one truck driver, a small Nissan NP200 bakkie travelling in the opposite direction hit one of the trucks before colliding head on with the other truck behind it,” he said.
“The father and the two children were killed on the spot.
“The wife was flung out of the car.”
Emergency personnel, who rushed to the scene, had to use “jaws of life” metal cutting equipment to extract the bodies from the mangled wreckage.
“The woman was flung out of the car and was later airlifted to the Nelson Mandela Central Hospital in Mthatha with serious injuries,” said Kupelo.
An investigation into the accident had been launched, he added.
Provincial transport spokesman Ncedo Kumbaca yesterday sent condolences to the family.
“The fact that a family was almost wiped out in one accident should serve as a reminder to us all about the need for everyone to be extra cautious when driving on the road, especially at night.”
He said the department would intensify Operation Kwanele on the route. The operation, which aims to reduce road deaths on what has become the country’s most dangerous road, was launched in 2012.
It targets nearly 1000km of the N2 from the Western Cape to the border of KwaZulu-Natal.
At the time of its launch, it was argued that most accidents on the N2 took place between 10pm and 6am.
The operation sees sporadic roadblocks and traffic police patrols being stepped up, and the aim is for traffic officials to be visible every 30km.
“We are going to intensify that operation on the N2 again. But at the same time, we call upon all road users, including truck drivers and motorists who drive smaller cars, to be extra cautious when driving at night,” Kumbaca said yesterday.
He said the department would try to assist the family.
Umzimvubu mayor Khulukazi Pangwa, who was in Cape Town yesterday, reacted with shock.
His local municipality’s jurisdiction includes the towns of Mount Ayliff and Mount Frere.
“I will try to find the family so that we can see how we can help, comfort and support them,” she said.
Monday’s accident comes soon after six people, among them two Mthatha teachers and a pupil, were killed in two horrific accidents on the N2.
This year so far 39 people have been killed in road accidents on the N2. — sikhon@dispatch.co.za
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos