Freak accident on infamous bridge leaves one dead
Yet another vehicle has plunged into the gap in the bridge on the D2296 Road that is supposed to link Tekwane South and KaNyamazane.
One person was confirmed to have died after the vehicle had gone straight over and landed on the bottom . The bridge on the D2296 Road in Tekwane South was washed away by the raging water following the heavy rainfall caused by Tropical Storm Eloise earlier this year.
The bridge collapsed on Friday February 5 and has since never been repaired. According to the Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison’s spokesperson, Mmusi Moeti, the accident that had claimed the life of one person, happened on Sunday evening.
“Preliminary reports at our disposal suggests that a bakkie with five occupants was travelling towards Tekwane South, and when they approached the damaged bridge they drove straight over into the bottom of it. At this stage, we don’t know if the driver wasn’t aware that the bridge had collapsed,” said Moeti.
READ: Threat made to shut down KaBokweni
“Four people were rescued and rushed to hospital. The fifth person could not be accounted for for the better part of Sunday night. His lifeless body was only discovered on Monday morning, buried underneath water and rubble,” he continued.
Moeti said a case of culpable homicide has been opened and the police are investigating. This is not the first incident to happen here.
In April, a vehicle fell into the gap, leaving one person badly injured and his vehicle beyond repair. He was rescued by community members.
The Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport’s spokesperson, Bongani Dhlamini, told Lowvelder Express that a service provider has already been appointed to start repairs on the bridge. The former acting DG in the Office of the Premier, Peter Nyoni, visited the bridge and promised to work with all speed to repair the bridge.
READ: Sinkhole finally causes bridge to collapse – as locals warned
“We understand what has happened here and it is important for us as officials to move with speed to assess the damage. I am happy that the Department of Public Works, the City of Mbombela and the Ehlanzeni District Municipality are here to help us. “We must quickly present a detailed report to the executive to declare the situation or state of affairs as a disastrous one,” said Nyoni.
