Pretoria – Fifteen people were killed when a minibus taxi crashed into a stationary truck near Umkomaas in KwaZulu-Natal.
Emergency workers said three people are in a critical condition, while two are in a serious condition and one has sustained minor injuries.
Reports say the driver of the taxi lost control of the vehicle while going downhill on the P197 near Sappi's Saiccor Mill. He was driving from Umkomaas to Magabheni. The taxi veered off the road, crashed through a fence and collided with the truck, which was parked on the Saiccor premises.
The taxi driver, who sustained minor injuries, was found by Road Traffic Inspectorate officials to have a blood alcohol reading of 0.26mg. The legal limit is 0.24mg. He has been arrested.
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Senzo Mchunu has expressed shock at the collision.
The accident comes in the wake of a crash that claimed the lives of 11 people in Limpopo this morning. – SAnews.gov.za
