POLOKWANE – Two nurses were killed and a midwife critically injured in a head-on collision on the R81 on Saturday afternoon (August 20).
The three women, stationed at the Mokopane Hospital’s maternity ward were returning back from a funeral when the incident occurred.
The Department of Transport and Community Safety’s spokesperson Tidimalo Chuene said a vehicle collided head-on with an oncoming vehicle as a result of veld-fire smoke.
“The driver and passenger from one of the vehicles was declared dead on the scene. Four other people sustained injuries and were taken to hospital for medical attention,” she said.
Chuene added that unsafe overtaking was cited as a possible cause of the collision.
Meanwhile, Health MEC Dr Phophi Ramathuba joined staff at the Mokopane Hospital earlier today to pay respect to the deceased.
“As a province, we have lost two of our nurses who were central in the provision of maternal and child healthcare services. As the health department, we send our deepest condolences to the families, friends and colleagues on their loss,” she said.
