Tragic road accidents in KwaZulu-Natal claim seven lives and injure 21
The scene of the tragic accident on the N2 before the Umzumbe River Bridge, where five lives were lost, including three young children.
Image: Supplied
Seven people, including a family of five with three small children, have died in three separate accidents, while 21 people were injured on KwaZulu-Natal roads.
On Friday night, KZN Transport MEC Siboniso Duma issued a statement about the horrific accident along the N2 before the Umzumbe River Bridge that claimed the lives of five people believed to be from the same family.
Duma said the head-on collision involved a Suzuki light motor vehicle and a seven-seater minibus.
“Three children, aged 3-5, and adults believed to be the mother and father, have died instantly. Other victims, a female and a 14-year-old male, have been rushed to the nearest hospital,” said the MEC.
He said that two occupants of the minibus were injured.
The MEC said he has assigned a team from his office to liaise with the local community leaders.
“In line with procedures involving such horrific accidents, we have handed over the matter to the SAPS for further investigations,” added Duma.
At approximately 5.43pm on Friday, IPSS Medical Rescue reported a head-on collision between a taxi and a light motor vehicle on Old Main Road in Esperanza near Umzinto on the south coast.
“The collision has left at least one person deceased and a further 16 injured,” said IPSS spokesperson Samantha Meyrick, adding that the injuries range from serious to minor.
Devastating aftermath of the Umbilo accident, where a bakkie flipped and resulted in the death of a driver in his sixties, while his wife sustained serious injuries.
Image: Supplied
In another accident just before 2am on Saturday, ALS Paramedics spokesperson Garrith Jamieson said paramedics responded to a serious crash on Bowen Avenue in the Umbilo area of Durban.
Jamieson said when paramedics arrived at the scene, they found that a bakkie had somehow flipped, coming to rest against an electricity pole.
He said the eThekwini Fire Department was immediately dispatched to assist at the scene.
“Paramedics found the driver, a male believed to be in his sixties, had been ejected from the wreckage on impact and sustained major injuries. Unfortunately, there was nothing paramedics could do for him, and he was declared deceased on the scene,” he said.
According to Jamieson, the man's wife was found inside the wreckage of the vehicle, suffering from serious injuries.
After being stabilised, she was carefully removed from the car and transported to an awaiting Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulance.
The woman was then transported to a nearby hospital for further care that she required, he said.
Jamieson said the SAPS were in attendance and will be investigating further.
Meanwhile, in an ongoing effort to make roads safer, Duma said his “No Nonsense team from the Road Traffic Inspectorate” reported in the early hours of Saturday morning that 113 motorists were arrested for drunk driving in Richards Bay, Empangeni, and Esikhaleni (Esikhawini).
Both men and women were among the 113 motorists arrested for drunk driving in KwaZulu-Natal.
Image: Supplied
The breakdown of arrests of both male and female motorists includes 54 arrests in Richards Bay, 28 in Empangeni, and 31 in Esikhaleni (Esikhawini).
The arrests were executed during an operation that started at 6pm on Friday until the early hours of Saturday morning.
Duma stated that since August 15, a total of 1,230 motorists have been arrested for drunk driving.
“Undoubtedly, the RTI is firm behind my mandate that they should clean up our road networks and ensure that the people of this province feel safe,” said the MEC.
In a major crackdown on drunk driving, 113 motorists were arrested across KwaZulu-Natal, highlighting the ongoing efforts to enhance road safety and reduce traffic-related incidents.
Image: Supplied
In addition, Duma said the department has refined the road safety strategy to incorporate #NenzaniLaEzweni Operations in roadblocks.
As a result, he said, a Nigerian national was caught in possession of drugs and was arrested in this joint operation involving SAPS under the leadership of Provincial Commissioner Lt-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi and the Richards Bay Community Policing Forum.
He said another motorist, who was arrested for drunk driving, was found in possession of a firearm. This is a criminal offence under the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000.
A taxi driver was found with an alcohol content 16 times over the legal limit for a PrDP category. In addition, an engineer was found with an alcohol content six times over the legal limit.
Duma thanked KZN Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane for deploying health professionals who are responsible for blood test management.
karen.singh@inl.co.za
The KZN Health Department played a crucial role in the recent drunk driving operations, providing health professionals for blood test management to ensure accurate assessments of intoxication levels among arrested motorists.
Image: Supplied