Pretoria - Transport Minister Dipuo Peters has sent condolences to the families of victims of the Bloemfontein fatal crash.
In a gruesome road crash on Sunday morning on the N1 between Edenburg and Bloemfontein in the Free State, 10 people were killed, while four sustained injuries when a light delivery vehicle and a truck collided head on.
Four of the passengers killed were children.
“I am deeply saddened by this tragic occurrence and I would like to express my sincere condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their loved ones and wish those who are injured a speedy recovery.
“Even though we cannot, at this stage, pronounce on the circumstances around this crash, it remains crucial to warn our motorists that barrier lines, road construction sites and areas of poor visibility are enough signs not to overtake, no matter what make your vehicle is or how fast it can drive,” she said.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the light delivery vehicle and the truck collided head on, resulting in the light delivery vehicle, which was carrying 14 occupants and a trailer, overturning.
Ten people in the light delivery vehicle were killed instantly, while the injured were rushed to hospitals in the Bloemfontein area.
The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) dispatched a team of crash and incident reconstruction and investigation experts to determine the cause of this crash.
Minister Peters said: “Our investigation team must leave no stone unturned and get to the bottom of what really happened that resulted in the horrific occurrence. Ours must be an unwavering and relentless fight against the carnage on our roads.
“We have to speak strongly against conduct that borders on recklessness and failure to act responsibly, especially when there are other passengers in the vehicle. Drivers who endanger passengers and other motorists' lives do not belong on our roads.
“Together as South Africans, we must do everything in our power to stop this carnage and save the lives of our people.”
Minister Peters has also called on motorists and all road users to be vigilant at all times and to observe all the rules of the road. - SAnews.gov.za
