The tragic toll of a series of devastating road crashes in KwaZulu-Natal on Saturday has climbed to 23, with the Department of Transport confirming the grim news.
This includes the heartbreaking loss of a Grade 8 Michaelhouse pupil, Garth Finnemore, and his parents, Gareth and Olivia, who were returning from a rugby match when their vehicle was involved in a head-on collision.
The accident, which occurred on the R622 Mooi River Road, claimed the lives of 11 people, including the Finnemore family. Midlands EMS, the first responders on the scene, reported that all 11 victims showed no signs of life and were declared deceased.
"He was travelling home from a Sevens rugby event at Wembley College in his parents' car along with his parents and his younger brother who has been transported in a critical condition to hospital," said Antony Clark, the rector of Michaelhouse, in a Facebook post.
The sole survivor from one of the vehicles, a 12-year-old boy, was found in critical condition and placed on a manual ventilator before being rushed to a specialist hospital for further care.
The accident involved a bakkie and an SUV, with the collision occurring on Saturday afternoon. Police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda confirmed that a culpable homicide case has been opened for investigation by Greytown police.
The Department of Transport MEC Siboniso Duma, deeply saddened by the tragedy, declared a week of mourning in KwaZulu-Natal, calling it one of the biggest loss of lives due to road accidents in recent times.
On Tuesday, MEC Duma visited the victims at Greys Hospital in Pietermaritzburg and inspected the vehicle, a Toyota Hilux, involved in another fatal crash on Saturday in Mooi River that claimed 12 lives.
This separate accident on the R622 involved a White Toyota Hilux and a Toyota Fortuner. Preliminary reports suggest that the driver of the Toyota Hilux lost control, causing his vehicle to smash into the Fortuner. Both drivers were killed, along with seven passengers in the Toyota Hilux and two passengers in the Toyota Fortuner.
The accident also involved foreign nationals from Lesotho.
"The trauma that families are experiencing will take many years to heal but we are hopeful that the support to be offered by their government and the people of KwaZulu-Natal will give them enough strength and courage to tide over this storm," said MEC Duma, expressing his condolences to the grieving families.
The Michaelhouse community has been deeply affected by the loss of Garth and his parents. The school's staff and pastoral team are providing support to pupils during this difficult time.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the Finnemore family," added Rector Clark.
