By Mpho Modiba
HOEDSPRUIT- The death toll from a devastating accident on the R40 road near Klaserie in Maruleng Municipality has tragically risen to 13.
The collision, which occurred earlier this morning, involved a minibus taxi and a bakkie, resulting in the deaths of 10 passengers in the taxi and three individuals in the bakkie.
Additionally, three other people sustained critical injuries and were transported to Tintswalo Hospital for urgent medical care.
According to preliminary reports, the minibus taxi, which was transporting passengers, collided with a Ford Ranger bakkie near the Kapama Nature Reserve.
In a particularly tragic turn of events, the minibus taxi caught fire following the crash, and eight of the deceased were trapped inside.
These eight individuals are believed to have been employees of the Lebamba supermarket in Hoedspruit, who were using the taxi as their staff transport.
Eyewitnesses recount the horror of seeing the minibus engulfed in flames, with those inside unable to escape. The loss of these lives has devastated the local community, and officials are expressing their grief at the tragic incident.
MEC for Transport and Community Safety, Violet Mathye, expressed her shock and sorrow at the horrific accident. “I am deeply shocked and saddened by this tragic incident,” said MEC Mathye. “My heartfelt condolences go out to the families, next of kin, and the broader community who have lost loved ones. I wish a speedy recovery to those who sustained injuries.”
The cause of the accident remains under investigation, with authorities working to piece together the circumstances that led to such a devastating loss of life.
The Department of Transport has pledged to provide further updates as the investigation progresses.
In light of this tragedy, MEC Mathye has called on all motorists to exercise extreme caution on major routes, urging everyone to drive carefully and responsibly to prevent further accidents.
