UPDATE: Condolences for 18 killed mine workers
Three vehicles were involved in the crash on the R541 outside Machadodorp on Tuesday morning.
The 18 mine workers who were killed on the Badplaas Road yesterday morning is an immense loss to the community and likely leave permanent scars on their community, Dr Mathews Phosa said in a message of condolence today.
“It is a sad and tragic time as we grapple with the death of so many of our subterranean heroes of Mpumalanga who tirelessly lay down their lives on a daily basis at the depths of South African mines to support their families and community.
“The road ahead will be difficult and we offer our heartfelt support during this time of mourning,” he said.
MPL Bosman Grobler said in a statement yesterday that the DA Emakhazeni Constituency Youth Leader, Michael Mncina, was also involved and injured in the crash.
“We wish him, and all victims who have sustained injuries, a speedy recovery.
“We offer our sincere condolences to the families of the victims. Our thoughts and prayers will be with them in this difficult time.”
Both urged all road users and motorists to be extra vigilant and cautious on the road, especially with misty mornings causing low visibility.
“As many South Africans take to the roads during these winter holidays travelling towards various destinations, we urge all road users and motorists to be vigilant and to practise safety. We are all role players in road safety and must take collective action to reduce the number of road-traffic accidents,” Phosa concluded.
UPDATE: Death toll from crash rises to 18, 13:45
The total number of fatalities from this morning’s accident on the Badplaas Road has risen to eighteen.
Russel Meiring, ER24 spokesman, said in a statement this afternoon that they had been notified that two patients had died of their injuries.
“This includes 16 fatalities from the scene as well as two that succumbed to their injuries in hospital,” he said.
Thirteen confirmed dead in Machadodorp crash, July 4 09:32
MBOMBELA – A collision between three vehicles on the R541 outside Machadodorp this morning, has claimed the lives of 13 people.
According to Renata Erasmus of Life Med Ambulance Service, the collision occured at around 06:50, when a truck travelling from Badplaas, and a Quantam taxi travelling in the opposite direction, collided head-on.
A 22-seater bus also travelling towards Badplaas drove into the back of the taxi.
Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison (DCSSL) spokesman, Joseph Mabuza, said the bodies of some of the deceased were trapped in the vehicles and had to be cut out.
ER24 said several passengers were trapped inside the bus and others were trapped underneath the overturned bus.
Mabuza said 16 patients were rushed to a hospital in Belfast. Other patients were transported to the nearby Life Midmed Hospital in Middelburg. One critical patients was airlifted to Mediclinic Nelspruit.
Read older stories about recent accidents
