Empathy following Free State horror crash

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Transport minister, Barbara Creecy and her deputy, Mkhuleko Hlengwa, have expressed their deep sadness following a tragic road crash that occurred in the Free State Province on Sunday morning.

The crash which involved a white Scania Truck-Tractor and a white Toyota Quantum in a rear-end collision happened on the N1 highway claimed the lives of ten people, leaving one person seriously injured.

The incident took place approximately 20 km from Koppies on the N1, heading towards Kroonstad.

Two survivors — a passenger from the taxi and the truck driver — sustained injuries and were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.

In a statement issued, the department said the minister and deputy minister have extended their condolences to the bereaved families and the loved ones of those who lost their lives.

It further added that they also expressed their wish for the individual who sustained serious injuries a speedy and full recovery.

Crash… on the back of road safety campaign launch

“They have also emphasized the fact that this crash happens at the back of recent launch of the Road Safety Campaign for the festive season, means that law enforcement officers must be out in their numbers to calm down the traffic especially in the identified hotspots with N1 being one of those spots.

“The minister and deputy minister have emphasized the importance of motorists to heed the road safety messages.

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“Long distance drivers are urged to take a break after every 200 km or after every two hours of driving. This is due to a proven fact that fatigue is a silent killer.

“The minister and deputy minister have instructed the Road Traffic Management Corporation to investigate the cause of the crash and submit a preliminary report within 48 hours,” the statement read.