Limpopo: Eight dead in two separate collisions on N1 north
Both incidents happened along the same stretch of road between Thursday evening and Friday morning.
LIMPOPO – Eight people have died while 16 others were injured in two separate collisions along the N1 north in the Vhembe district.
The incidents reportedly took place between Thursday evening (January 20) and the early hours of Friday morning (January 21).
In a statement, the media liaison officer for Department of Transport and Community Safety, Mike Maringa explained that both incidents happened along the same stretch of road outside Musina.
In the first incident, six people died while 14 others were injured after a bakkie overturned. “It is alleged the driver lost control of the vehicle causing it to overturn. The driver and five passengers were confirmed dead on the scene while fourteen others were taken to the Musina Hospital with serious injuries.”
He added that reckless driving has been cited as the possible cause of the incident.
Meanwhile, a head-on collision which happened along the same stretch of road claimed the lives of two people. The incident involved a bakkie and a sedan.
“Both drivers were killed on impact while two passengers from the bakkie escaped with injuries.”
Transport and Community Safety MEC Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya expressed her concern about the number of fatal crashes in the province.
Read more: Minister blames ‘incompetent drivers’ for increased road fatalities
She added that as announced by Minister Fikile Mbalula on Tuesday, stats have revealed that speed, reckless and negligent driving are the main contributors to the road carnage in South Africa.
Read more: Polokwane woman identified as a victim of fiery N1 crash
“It is concerning that road users continue to disregard traffic rules despite the increase of fatal crashes in the past few weeks,” she concluded.
