Five dead as bakkie and truck collide

FIVE people were confirmed dead on the scene when the bakkie they were travelling in collided head-on with an abnormal load truck along the R67 road between Fort Beaufort and Seymour yesterday morning.

According to Tshepo Machaea, paramedics and other emergency services personnel arrived at the scene to find both vehicles in the middle of the road, with members of the community assisting the injured.

Machaea said those who died were the driver of the bakkie, two schoolchildren and two adult passengers.

The passengers who died had all been travelling on the back of the bakkie.

Six more passengers on the back of the bakkie were rushed to Fort Beaufort Hospital in serious conditions.

Machaea said the accident happened in rain and mist at 7.30am.

The driver of the truck survived the accident unscathed.

Eastern Cape health spokesman Sizwe Kupelo said two of the six passengers transported to Fort Beaufort Hospital were later transferred to Frere Hospital.

Authorities said the names of the deceased will be released to the public when their next-of-kin have been informed of their deaths.

Machea said an investigation into the cause of the accident was under way. The road remained closed until 11am.

Fort Beaufort police are investigating a case of culpable homicide.