Crash victims names released

The full list of names of people who lost their lives in last Thursday’s horrific Pinetown accident has been released.

A memorial service for the victims will be held at the KwaNdengezi Sports Ground outside Pinetown today. Followed by the funeral service this weekend.

Officials including Transport MEC Willies Mchunu and eThekwini Mayor James Nxumalo will be among the mourners at the service.

Below are the names of the victims:

Nompumelelo Mnguni
Elizabeth Phumelele Mokuatle
Bonginkosi Zungu
Simon Dlamini
Zinhle Cele
Sindi Mthiyane
Sibonelo Dlamini
Clerment Chonco
Mfano Stanely Mhlongo
Lethukuthula Vilakazi
Thulisile Nyandeni
Ntombifuthi Nompula
Arnaldo Balate
K.B. Mabhida
Mduduzi Nyaba
Nompumelelo Phindile Ndlovu
Paulos Maritlane
S. Hlophe
N.J.  Dlamini
Sandile Desmus Shozi
Bonginkosi Khalakahla
N. Nhlabathi

May their souls rest in peace.

UPDATE: 11 September 2013 12pm

Video has been removed at the request of the Road Traffic Management Corporation.

UPDATE: 09 September 2013 4pm

THE 23-year-old truck driver, Sanele Goodness May, appeared in the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court on Monday morning after the 18-wheeler he was driving ploughed into five vehicles at the Field’s Hill Old Main Road offramp, killing 22 people.

According to Constable Lungile Mbatha, a spokesman for the Pinetown SAPS, May was charged with 22 counts of culpable homicide as well as reckless and negligent driving.
His court case was remanded until Monday 16 September and his bail hearing will take place on Wednesday 18 September. He will remain in custody at the Pinetown Police Station until his next court appearance.

Gregory Govender, owner of the Phoenix-based company, Sagekal Logistics, said it was still unclear as to what caused the accident and has appointed the truck driver a lawyer.

“The accident, involving the driver from my company is deeply regretted. In addition to being a responsible and committed businessman, I have a deep appreciation and value for life. I am also a father, grandfather, husband and brother. I sympathise with every person affected by this tragedy. I am and will continue to co-operate fully with officials during the investigation. Due to the sensitivity of the matter and the ongoing investigation, I cannot comment on anything further. I want to express my sincere condolences to the families of the victims and pray God comforts them through this ordeal,” said Govender.

UPDATE: It was like a war zone, says paramedic
08 September 2013

Shannon Charles, operations manager for VEMA was one of the paramedics at the scene of Thursday night’s carnage on Field’s Hill.
To read more click here…

UPDATE:  “It could have been us,” says man who filmed horror crash
07 September 2013

A Pinetown couple who were at the intersection when the runaway 18-wheeler ploughed through four taxis and a vehicle, say they are lucky to have escaped death.
To read more click here…

UPDATE: Friday, 6 September  1pm

Video by: ENCA

Video by: SACAN and CN&N

UPDATE: Friday, 6 September  2:30pm

MEC of Transport for KwaZulu-Natal and acting president, Jeff Radebe, Minister of Transport, Dipuo Peters,  together with Mayor James Nxumalo and other government officials visited the RK Khan Hospital to visit the victims of Thursday night’s crash, which took place in Fields Hill in Pinetown.

Above: Acting President Jeff Radebe visiting one of the survivors from the crash.

To read more click here

UPDATE: Death toll rises to 27

Friday, 6 September  10am

According to ER24 the death toll for last night’s horrific accident in Pinetown, now stands at 27 after three people succumbed in hospital to their injuries.

Paramedics who were on the scene last night said that 10 people sustained critical injuries, 8 sustained moderate injuries and 14 sustained minor to moderate injuries.

SAPS Spokesman, Captain Thulani Zwane confirmed that the 23-year-old truck driver was arrested and charged with culpable homicide and reckless and negligent driving. He is being held at the Pinetown Police Station and will appear in the Pinetown Magistrates Court on Monday.

Local authorities will conduct an investigation into the exact cause of the crash which saw the 18 wheeler truck plough into four taxis and a car after failing to stop at the Richmond Road intersection at the bottom of Field’s Hill.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMC8G2yhfBs&feature=player_embedded

Video from eNCA.com

UPDATE: Friday, 6 September  9am

We have received an overwhelming response from different officials and political parties, read their responses by clicking on the links below:

DA want immediate ban on Field’s Hill ‘heavies’
THE Democratic Alliance calls on KwaZulu-Natal Transport MEC, Willies Mchunu to impose an immediate and complete ban on all heavy vehicles using Fields Hill as an alternative to the N3 toll road.
To read more click here…

Acting Premier of KZN calls for unity in prayer
The Acting Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Senzo Mchunu has called on the people of the province to unite in prayer for the families of the 24 people who perished in a horrific accident in Pinetown this evening.
To read more click here…

ANC KZN mourns the death of 24 people in an accident
ANC express their concern over the growing number of people dying on our roads.
To read more click here…

Ban Trucks accessing the M13 Fields Hill
Local resident Justin M, calls on other residents and concerned citizens to sign his petition which will be delivered to South African Minister of Transport – Dipuo Peters
To join the Avaaz petition click here

Accident was completely avoidable, says Councillor
Cllr Tim Brauteseth sends his condolences to the family and friends affected by last nights tragedy.
To read more click here…

UPDATE: Friday 6 September 8:20am
By Rick Crouch

MEC Willies Mchunu’s shock and outrage regarding the accident on Fields Hill where 27 people so far have lost their lives is disingenuous at the very least. We have been telling him and his department in official meetings that this exact thing was going to happen.

Since 2009 Ward 10 DA Councillor Rick Crouch  in Kloof, Ward 18 DA Councillor Tim Brauteseth in Pinetown and former DA Ward 18 Councillor Warwick Chapman have been fighting to have the heavy vehicles completely banned from Fields Hill.

A task Team was formed in 2012, this team set out to prove conclusively that among other things, Fields Hill was not safe for large trucks to use. This report was summarily dismissed, and in his response Mr Wally Bennett: Senior Manager Engineering Services for KZN Department of Transport, said in his conclusion dated 7 March 2012,  “The restricting of trucks on the P1-1 is not supported, for reasons given above but not limited to those”

“I can assure you that when the news of this accident broke these officials were scurrying like rats to find a dark hole to hide in until they have formulated their spin on the matter which will be put out in their defence. I am very angry at this because we warned them this was going to happen. Those 27 deaths are the responsibility of MEC Mchunu and his department for their failure to act on this very serious issue. I cannot tell you how many incidents there have been involving trucks, the residents that live along side Fields Hill live in constant fear because more than once trucks have gone over the side and landed in someone’s property. No matter what the cause of this accident turns out to be, ultimately it is the fault of the MEC and his Department of Transport because it is our assertion that the truck should not have been allowed to be there. I call on the MEC to IMMEDIATELY ban all heavy trucks from using Fields Hill in both directions and force them to use the N3.” said DA Ward Councillor for Ward 10 Rick Crouch

UPDATE: Thursday 5 September 10.30pm

According to reports the truck crashed into the vehicles after its brakes are believed to have failed. The death toll is reported to have reached 27 but the final death toll is not yet known.

The freeway will remain closed until tomorrow morning and commuters are urged to use alternate routes.

BREAKING: Thursday 5 September 8.30pm

A TRUCK  travelling down Field’s Hill just after 7pm this evening is believed to have ploughed through six taxis killing 24 people and leaving scores injured.

According to Mark Easton, founding member of Rescuetech and intermediate life support paramedic, the death toll is currently sitting at 24, seven code reds and there are 44 patients as a result of the accident. According to IOL 80 have been injured.

The truck took the Old Main Road offramp and the accident took place near the robots at the intersection. The head of operations for Metro Police and second in charge of Metro police have confirmed these details and said the death toll is rising.

All traffic is being directed through Pinetown as there is believed to be no access accross the bridge or through the intersection at the offramp.

Updates to follow.

Warning graphic images