On Saturday, January 31 two motor vehicle accidents almost simultaneously occurred on the Bethal road.
At around 20:30, the first incident occurred at the four-way stop near Duvha Park, where emergency services found two very badly damaged vehicles.
Mr Gerhardus Louw (68), who was allegedly driving home in a white Volkswagen Polo, stopped at the stop street when a Toyota Tazz, travelling at a high speed, crashed into the back of his vehicle.
The impact of the crash spun the Polo to face the opposite direction and the Tazz ended up a few metres away on the side of the road.
Other than slight internal injuries, Louw escaped the wreck unscathed. The driver of the Tazz, however, was transported to hospital with more serious injuries.
At about 20:50 another accident occurred on the Bethal road (closer to the R544 heading to Ga-Nala).
A speeding sedan allegedly hit a guardrail, killing two passengers inside the vehicle. Emergency services struggled to free the driver and another seriously injured passenger, who died moments after she was transported to Witbank Hospital.
All three of the deceased passengers were very young, the youngest only 16 years of age.
“I don’t know why she got into the car with that driver,” said an emotional father on Tuesday, February 3.
Patience Baloyi (16) was one of the passengers who allegedly accepted a lift from the driver of the sedan to go to Tasbet Park. “She was a good girl, a good daughter, the youngest of my three daughters.”
Samantha Mokola’s parents and family also had to say goodbye to their loving girl, who passed away on the accident scene.
Tlaishego Mariri (24) will be sorely missed by his parents, brothers and sister.
All three will be laid to rest in their hometowns this weekend.
*A case of culpable homicide is being investigated against the driver of the sedan.
