13 people killed in Hoedspruit R40 accident
A horrific accident on the R40 road near Kapama Private Game Reserve in Hoedspruit, Limpopo left 13 people dead. This is after a bakkie and a minibus taxi collided head-on and caught fire on Saturday morning.
It is said that eight of the deceased are employees of a local fruit and vegetable store in the area. The cause of the fatal crash is not yet clear.
Preliminary reports indicate that 10 passengers from the minibus taxi and three from the bakkie have died. Three critically injured passengers have been transported to Tinswalo Hospital for medical attention.
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The accident is believed to have occurred at around 07:30 while the staffs were on their way to work. In a short statement on Saturday, the Road Traffic Management Cooperation [RTMC] confirmed that 10 people lost their lives in the accident.
THE NUMBER OF DEATHS IN THE HOEDSPRUIT R40 NEXT TO KAPAMA LODGE CONFIRMED
“Major crash occurred on Saturday at approximately 07:30 on the R40 where a head-on crash occurred resulting in ten [10] fatalities,” read the statement.
“Due to the vehicles catching a light, the bodies were burned and a DNA process will be undertaken to identify the deceased persons.”
Meanwhile, Limpopo MEC for Transport and Community Safety Violet Mathye is on her way to the accident scene.
“We have received a report of a major crash between a bakkie and a minibus taxi which occurred earlier this morning on the R40 road near Kapama Game Farm,” said Department Spokesperson Tidimalo Chuene.
“Unfortunately the accident has resulted in serious injuries and fatalities. Further details will be confirmed as more information becomes available from law enforcement officers and emergency services teams who are currently at the scene. The MEC for Transport and Community Safety Violet Mathye is en route to the scene to assess the situation,” she said.
An investigation into the cause of the accident is currently also munderway. MEC Mathye urged motorists to exercise extreme caution on all major routes.
