The year started off in a horrible way on Sunday evening. A Toyota Quantum minibus and a BMW 1 Series collided head-on the R34 Vryheid/Dundee road, causing both vehicles to burst in flames. Several passengers were trapped in both vehicles.
A motorcyclist on his way back to Dundee was among the first at the scene. “As I neared the place where the smoke was coming from, I saw that two vehicles had collided and a fire had started,” Koos Peacock told the Northern KwaZulu-Natal Courier. He explained how he first attempted to use his crash helmet to break the windows, aiming to free passengers trapped inside the burning wreckage. By that time, several others had stopped to assist. When breaking the glass with his helmet did not work, another man helped Koos shatter the windows with a knobkerrie.
“I think we managed to get about six people out. The heat was very intense and we could not get very close. I know a woman in the passenger seat of the taxi was trapped and the driver of the car was unconscious.”
Koos concluded he and the others at the scene ‘did what any other person would have done’. “You have to help your fellow man – otherwise what is life?”
When emergency services arrived at the scene, they conducted a preliminary assessment and found multiple people injured. One patient sustained critical injuries and was stabilised at the scene before being transported to hospital. Eight others sustained serious injuries and were transported to hospital. Initial reports stated a total of six people were killed in the smash. An official report from Zululand SAPS Cluster Spokesperson, Captain Nkocy Gwala stated however a total of ten people were killed, eight from the minibus and two from the car.
Within 24 hours, on Monday afternoon, another head-on collision occurred between two vehicles near the first crash site. Emergency services treated nine people for minor to critical injuries, before they were transported to hospital for further care.
Günther Muhl, chairperson of the Farmers Association (Blood River area) contacted the Herald to express his utmost disgust at the condition of the road. Muhl uses the route on a daily basis and said the condition of the road surface could not handle the number of vehicles making use of it. He also stated there was insufficient space for vehicles to safely overtake. Muhl believes taxpayers had the right to know where the funds were being allocated, saying it was clearly not for the repair of roads.
“Someone has to take responsibility for these deaths; we want a name and number,” he fumed. “Why does it take an accident like this, where people lost their lives, before the condition of the road gets the attention from officials?”
Mr Smit, Area Commissioner for the Department of Correctional Services, expressed his concern regarding the R34, since the department transported approximately 150 children to school and back on that road daily, as well as offenders. He noted with concern the condition of the road and described the situation as being of a ‘dangerous nature’. Mr Smit also mentioned the P54, turning off to Ncome Prison, was in a worse condition.
KZN MEC of Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Bheki Ntuli visited the collision scene on Monday afternoon and then the critically injured patients at Vryheid Provincial Hospital, to wish them a speedy recovery. In a press release issued afterwards, the MEC said road accident experts had been ordered to launch a full-scale investigation into the cause of the fatal collision. He further stated accident reconstruction experts would visit the scene as well.
“We send our sincere condolences to families, friends and relatives of all those killed in this horrific crash. It is very concerning that since December 1 leading into the [New Year], more than 250 people have died on our provincial roads. It cannot be business as usual if we are to turn the tide against these accidents. We cannot allow a situation where people are continuously dying on our roads to ensure the reduction of crashed our law enforcement operations will be intensified on all major routes.”
MEC Ntuli added officials were ‘concerned about the rising scourge of road crashes and fatalities’, and suggested implementing innovative interventions to reduce the carnage. He said Government would play its part but motorists also needed to take responsibility to ensure the safety of all road users. “One dead is one too many.”
The Vryheid Herald’s Facebook page was inundated with comments from outraged residents, some extending their condolences and others blaming officials for the tragedy. Residents claimed the terrible condition of the road was the cause of the collision. Some told their own harrowing tales of near-death experiences, at times having to veer off the road to avoid serious potholes or other drivers attempting the same. Some of the residents’ comments follow:
Ntokozo Page Mbatha: “Condolences to the family who have lost their loved one “May their soul and RIP” Department of Transport must fix that road I have blame them on this”
Musawakhe Ngubane: “This is so sad. Driving on this road every day is such traumatic. Something must be done. A lot of accidents happening on this road, this is becoming a norm. Condolences to the affected families.”
Lunga Looh Tseku: “Dept of Transport in Abaqulusi Municipality must close down.. How many people must die before R34 gets a proper fix. It is a busy route n must have been a priority a long time ago!! Condolences to the families”
Petra Buys Naude: “I hit that same pothole going to Newcastle. Believe me it was a very bad feeling. I manage to control the car, because there were no oncoming cars. I knew this is going to happen to somebody. My deepest condolences to the families. May their souls rest in peace.”
Marni En Pieter Cohen: “ Fix the road and there won’t be any accidents , it’s that big potholes in the road that causes people to die , my parents almost rolled their bakkie yesterday going through the potholes avoiding traffic from the front, condolences to the families”
Bonga Brutus Hadebe: “That hole was created by people doing roadworks and left it there, I always drive on that road and it’s scary what other oblivious drivers do, the government must account for this”
KZN MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Bheki Ntuli, Head of the KZN Department of Transport, Sibisiso Gumbi and senior officials visit the collision scene.
ALSO READ: R34/ Melmoth Road closed briefly following accident
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