2 more die at cliff – closure of road mulled

A search and rescue operation by emergency services has discovered the bodies of two 75-year-old women from the vehicle which landed on its roof when it plunged onto the rocks below on Saturday, said Southern Cape police spokesman Sergeant Chris Spies.

He said a white Mazda went down the cliff at about 6.45pm in an area known as Hansie se Bank.

This latest incident brings the death toll near Voëlklip to nine.

Last month, a mother and her daughter died after their car veered down the cliff. The woman’s eight-year-old son survived after jumping out of the car just before it went down the cliff. In 2019, a woman and her children perished after going over the cliff.

After the last crash in January, some community members feel the road should be closed.

Others feel that this is unnecessary and that barriers along the road would suffice.

Road signs to warn people were put up about three months ago and since last Thursday, meetings regarding the road had been held with various role players to determine what the next step should be.

A member of the Herold’s Bay Residents and Ratepayers Association, Ken Field, said it would be very sad if the road is ever closed.

“Voëlklip has the most beautiful views and local and foreign visitors come here daily,” Field said. “The road is not, as people claim, ‘dangerous’. If you drive properly you will always be safe. The incidents happen when people make bad decisions.”

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