Driver flees fatal crash site

THE driver of a minibus taxi fled the scene after his vehicle crashed and rolled, killing two children, on the N1 between Beaufort West and Prince Albert yesterday.

Officials said people were also injured in the accident. The children were aged 3 and 6 months old.

Provincial traffic chief Kenny Africa said the crash occurred 73km outside Beaufort West.

“It is difficult to say at this stage how many people in the taxi were injured, because some of the people travelling in it got into a passing taxi. The driver fled the scene.

“All we know at this stage is that the driver lost control of the vehicle; (the driver) either fell asleep behind the wheel, or was driving too fast. It’s difficult to speculate,” said Africa.

No other vehicle had been involved, he said, adding that police were busy with investigations and charges of culpable homicide would be brought against the driver of the taxi.

The incident came less than a week after 10 people were killed and 30 others injured in a bus crash on Aberdeen Road, 50km outside Beaufort West.

Initial reports indicated that the driver lost control of the bus after striking an animal that had appeared in the road, according to Transport and Public Works MEC Donald Grant.

“This crash occurred on a stretch of road that has had a long history of public transport crashes, claiming lives and injuring many,” he said.

“These incidents have decreased substantially in recent times since the introduction of various road safety interventions on that strip of road, which include an average speed over distance camera enforcement system, and our successful fatigue management law enforcement operations.”