25 killed on roads in grim weekend

Head-on collisions major concern for authorities

ROAD accidents have claimed the lives of 25 people in the Eastern Cape this weekend. The death toll is from five accidents in different parts of the province.

More than 29 people were injured.

The biggest accident took place on Friday night when a minibus travelling between Zastron in the Free State and Sterkspruit collided with a bakkie. Provincial health spokesman Sizwe Kupelo said 17 people died, nine of them on impact.

The remaining people were taken to a nearby hospital.

“But they all succumbed to their injuries, bringing the death toll to 17,” Kupelo said.

“Six people in the taxi were burnt beyond recognition.”

Two taxis also collided near Middleburg yesterday, injuring 15 people, including two babies.

Three people died in the accident.

Kupelo urged motorists to drive safely as reports suggested there was a head-on collision every three hours in the province.

In another incident, two cars collided on the Bushman’s River Bridge, killing two people yesterday.

Three others were taken to Livingstone Hospital.

In another head-on collision between Cofimvaba and Ngcobo, one person died.

Eight people were taken to the All Saints Hospital and five others to the Cofimvaba Hospital.

On Saturday, the driver of a Toyota Yaris lost control of his car, which overturned in the Ngqamakhwe area.

Two people died at the scene while three were taken to a hospital in Butterworth.

During the 2015-2016 festive season, 278 people died in accidents on the province’s roads.

The 2016-2017 festive season runs from December 1 to January 15.

Provincial traffic department deputy director Charles Bramwell said 82% of accidents were caused by the human factor.

“It is things like overtaking when not permitted, reckless or negligent driving and drunken driving.

“Another factor is drunk pedestrians wearing dark clothes when they walk on public roads.

“We need to be more safety conscious and adhere to the rules of the road and also respect fellow road users,” Bramwell said.

We need to be more safety conscious and adhere to the rules of the road

HORROR AFTERMATH: A wrecked car is pictured in the foreground with a second badly damaged vehicle against the barrier further along after the head-on collision on the Bushmans River Bridge. Two people died and three were taken to hospital in a critical...