Fatal crash claims five, 10 critically injured

Five people were killed while 10 were seriously injured on the R56 between Middelburg and Steynsburg on Friday morning when the minibus taxi they were travelling in, had a tyre burst.

The five unidentified people were travelling from Nyanga township in Cape Town to Indwe township near Komani.

This was confirmed by provincial transport department spokesperson Unathi Binqose, who said 10 other passengers in the taxi were seriously injured and being treated at the nearby Burgersdorp and Middelburg hospitals.

Binqose said preliminary investigations had shown that the taxi had 17 passengers when the accident occurred.

Two passengers escaped with minor injuries.

He said the accident happened on the day the province was launching its transport month at an event in Cala.

“It is very disturbing that this crash happens on the day we are launching our transport month where we reflect on the successes and challenges we faced on our roads since last October.

“The programme we are launching is part of our buildup to the festive season where safety on our provincial roads would be a priority,” Binqose said.

The spokesperson said the taxi driver was among the injured.

A case of culpable homicide had been opened at the Middelburg police station, he said.

Provincial health spokesperson Lwandile Sicwetsha said three female passengers and one male were rushed to the Wilhelm Stahl Hospital in Middelburg, with one female in a very critical condition. The male and other two females were in a moderate condition.

“Eight other passengers had to be rushed to the Burgersdorp Provincial Hospital.

“Three of the male passengers were in a very critical condition, and one male in a moderate condition.

“Three females were also classified as being in a very critical condition, while one is said to be moderate,” Sicwetsha said.

It is very disturbing that this crash happens on the day we are launching our transport month