FOUR LIVES LOST

These are my people and I am heartbroken beyond words as I look at this horrific ending to their lives

THE anguished screams of heartbroken relatives echoed along the R34 just outside Empangeni on Saturday evening, as family and friends grappled to come to terms with the loss of four loved ones at an horrific accident scene.

Fire and Rescue and police officials worked tirelessly to extricate the entrapped bodies out of the two vehicles and to direct heavy traffic flow to clear the scene quickly.

‘There were two female occupants in the Renault.

‘The driver died on scene and the passenger was taken in a stable condition to Ngwelezana Hospital,’ said King Cetshwayo District Chief Fire Officer, Thabo Mlambo.

‘The Mercedes contained five occupants, of whom the male driver with moderate injuries and a 30-year-old male passenger in a critical condition were taken to Ngwelezana Hospital.

‘The three other male passengers passed away on scene,’ said Mlambo.

Police confirmed that a case of culpable homicide had been opened.

‘The accident took place at 5.15pm just outside Empangeni,’ said Empangeni SAPS Sergeant Xulu.

‘As we further investigate this case, we hope that the survivors or eye witnesses will come forward and shed some light on what happened here.’

According to a bystander, the Renault was heading towards eShowe, when a taxi overtook in the same lane. In an attempt to avoid a headon collision, the driver of the vehicle reportedly swerved, taking out the Mercedes.

‘These are my people and I am heartbroken beyond words as I look at this horrific ending to their lives. They will all be sorely missed and condolences go out to the family during this dark time in their lives,’ said a friend of the deceased.