×

We've got news for you.

Register on SowetanLIVE at no cost to receive newsletters, read exclusive articles & more.
Register now

Road accidents claim five more lives

FIVE people were killed and scores injured in eight road accidents in Mpumalanga yesterday within two hours.

This brought to nine the number of people who died in road accidents in the area since Friday.

Four people were burnt beyond recognition in a four-vehicle pile-up.

In the latest accident that happened in Karino, near Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport, a minibus taxi collided head-on with a bakkie, resulting in the death of three people at about 7:30am.

People were thrown out of the vehicles into bushes. When emergency workers arrived three people were already dead.

Several others were taken to Rob Ferreira Hospital with serious injuries.

Two of the injured later died in the hospital, bringing the number of fatalities in the Karino accident to five.

MEC for public works, roads and transport Clifford Mkansi visited the injured in hospital later yesterday and wished them a speedy recovery .

He said information about the seven other road accidents was still coming in and details were sketchy.

"We have been informed that eight road accidents took place this morning.

"We understand that there were no fatalities in the other seven accidents," Mkansi said.

Meanwhile, police spokesperson Superintendent Abie Khoabane refused to identify the four people who burnt to death on Friday.

"For all I know the victims' names will be released later today", he said.

Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.