R61 crash death toll up to nine

Since December 6, 17 people have been killed in three crashes on this stretch of the road.

Police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Mzukisi Fatyela said yesterday that while six people died on impact, three others later died at the Nelson Mandela Central Hospital.

A further 12 were injured in the accident involving a minibus taxi and sedan. The accident took place at about 3.30pm near Tabase village.

“Two vehicles, a Toyota minibus and a Mercedes-Benz collided,” said transport spokesman Ncedo Kumbaca.

Of the dead, two were toddlers.

Those injured were rushed to nearby hospitals.

The road had to be closed while the wreckage was cleared. It took emergency services more than an hour to remove the bodies of those trapped.

Fatyela said that according to reports the Mercedes-Benz was travelling towards Mthatha and the the minibus taxi in the opposite direction.

“The Benz was driven by a medical doctor. He allegedly overtook a Polo and his car and the taxi collided head-on.

Both drivers were injured,” said Fatyela, adding that the doctor works at the Nelson Mandela Central Hospital.

Fatyela said an inquest docket had been opened and police would investigate whether to open a case of reckless and negligent driving.

The accident occurred hardly a week after three people died and 14 others were seriously injured when a police van and a bakkie ferrying passengers from Mthatha to Kukhambi village collided on the same road.

The two policemen suffered fractured legs. The three who died were in the bakkie.

In another accident, five employees of Nedbank died on the same stretch of road near Dosi village.

Fatyela cautioned motorists to drive carefully and to observe the rules of the road.

“Drivers must be extra careful on the roads in the region as they are already getting busy with the festive season.

“We are all equal on the road and should obey traffic laws to avoid collisions.” — lulamilef@dispatch.co.za