A horrific series of road accidents across the Eastern Cape on Friday, 10 January, claimed the lives of ten people. The most devastating incident occurred on the N2 near Phakade, between eMaXesibeni and Kokstad, where a head-on collision between a bakkie and a truck resulted in eight fatalities.
The bakkie, carrying twelve passengers, collided with the truck, leaving a scene of utter devastation. According to Eastern Cape transport department spokesperson, Unathi Binqose: “Five people died at the scene, while three others died on their way to hospital. The bakkie driver was among those killed, but the truck driver escaped unharmed.” Mr Binqose added, “On the one that happened on the N2 near Phakade, the driver is among the deceased.”
Adding to the grim toll, two separate incidents involving pedestrians further marred the day. One pedestrian lost their life after being struck by a vehicle on the N2 near Dans Lodge, just outside Mthatha. Tragically, another pedestrian died in a hit-and-run incident in the East London CBD. Mr Binqose commented on the East London incident, noting: “In the one that happened in the East London CBD, it is another case of hit and run, something that we've seen a lot of in and around the East London area.”
The cumulative effect of these three separate accidents resulted in a tragic loss of ten lives. The sheer number of fatalities highlights the urgent need for improved road safety measures and a greater emphasis on responsible driving practices within the province. Police have opened culpable homicide cases for each incident, and investigations are currently underway to determine the precise causes of these devastating crashes.
The scale of the tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the inherent dangers of the road and the devastating consequences of reckless driving. The loss of eight lives in a single accident underscores the importance of vehicle maintenance, driver competency, and adherence to traffic regulations. The two pedestrian fatalities highlight the vulnerability of pedestrians and the need for increased driver awareness and caution, particularly in urban areas. The hit-and-run incident in East London further underscores the callous disregard for human life exhibited by some drivers.
In the wake of this tragedy, Mr Binqose issued a heartfelt plea for caution: “Cases of culpable homicide have been opened for each incident, and investigations are ongoing. Binqose urged motorists to be cautious and follow traffic laws to avoid such tragedies.” His call for increased vigilance and responsible driving is a crucial message, not only for the drivers of the Eastern Cape but for all motorists across the country.
