A horrific accident earlier this week claimed the life of a seven year old girl who travelled with her parents on the N4 highway.
More than eight vehicles were involved in three different accidents on Monday, April 10. The accidents all happened just before Middelburg Toll Plaza in both directions.
A man was found dead at one of the accident scenes. Police could not yet establish how he died and whether he was a passenger in one of the cars or a pedestrian. The police are investigating this matter.
The first accident was reported to be one between a truck and a Toyota Hilux bakkie with trailer attached. The driver of the truck said that he was travelling on the N4 towards Middelburg when he saw a Toyota Hilux bakkie lose control in the opposite lane. The truck driver tried to avoid colliding with the bakkie, that was left overturned on the lane going towards eMalahleni, but could not.
The truck collided with the bakkie’s trailer and also overturned.
In the meantime, the Sibalo family were travelling towards Middelburg when Mr Paul Sibalo lost control over his Nissan Pathfinder as he came accross the overturned bakkie and truck in the middle of the highway. His wife along with his seven year old daughter was with him in the vehicle when the accident occurred.
The Range Rover and Nissan Pathfinder that collided just minutes after the first incident occurred between a truck and Toyota Hilux. The accident occurred on April 10 on the N4 highway.
ER24 Ambulance Services attended the accident scenes and gave the passengers necessary medical attention and rushed the passengers with serious injuries to Life Cosmos Hospital and Witbank Hospital.
“All passengers were stabilized on scene” said paramedic, Estie Biela from ER24.
Other vehicles involved in the melee included a Range Rover, Atos, a delivery truck a Nissan NP200 and the Nissan Pathfinder.
“My heart goes out to all the people that were affected by this horrible accident. We at AfriForum Crime Watch are asking road users to drastically reduce their speed. Be safe for others and yourself” said Mr Michael Visagie, chairperson of AfriForum, who also assisted on scene.
The Sibalo family are recovering from their injuries and the loss of their child and were not available for comment before print.
“Now with the Easter weekend coming up, we want to put out a warning to the community against speeding and driving under the influence. It will simply not be tolerated by Law Enforcement, Witbank Police and Traffic Officers” Sgt David Ratau, Witbank Police Spokesperson concluded.
*The name of the little girl and the unknown man are withheld until they have been formally identified by next of kin.
READ ALSO:
https://www.citizen.co.za/witbank-news/71298/42-cars-in-18-accidents-on-n4-highway/
https://www.citizen.co.za/witbank-news/17001/accident-n4-puts-two-hospital/
