Update: Horror crash and shootings claim 13 lives
Blood flows as 7 die in accident and 6 in two separate shootings
The horror crash that took place last night on the Colenso/Pieters road claimed the lives of 4 people on scene, one being a 3-year-old child. 3 people passed away in hospital last night, bringing the death toll to 7.
It is alleged that a shooting on the road preceded the accident. A lady passenger in a Mercedes was shot dead. A taxi that was travelling past at the time tried to avoid the gunfire and crashed into a truck. The taxi was fully loaded with passengers.
People were trapped in the wreckage and the jaws of life had to be used to free them.
About 16 people were injured in the crash. Sharaj and EMRS transported critically injured patients to hospital, and some with moderate injuries.
It is alleged that the suspects that shot at the Mercedes made their way to Ezakheni, where a second shooting took place. Five people were killed in the second shooting.
This morning, the Department of Transport MEC and the Mayor of Ladysmith went into Ezakheni to assess the situation.
13 people in total have been declared dead, 7 as a result of the accident and 6 in the two shootings.
MEC for Transport Willies Mchunu has assembled a team to investigate the accident and the shootings.
