Six people have died and several others were injured after a truck carrying about 30 passengers overturned in Flagstaff on Saturday morning, bringing the Eastern Cape’s road death toll to 18 in just seven days.
The latest tragedy occurred at approximately 10:15 at Mcetheni Location in Flagstaff when an Isuzu truck travelling from Mswakazi in the Port St Johns area reportedly overturned after the driver lost control on a gravel road.
The passengers were on their way to attend a traditional ceremony when the accident happened.
The six deceased comprise two men and four women. Several other passengers sustained injuries and were transported to Holy Cross Provincial Hospital in Flagstaff. The number of injured passengers has not yet been confirmed.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation, with a culpable homicide case expected to be opened at Flagstaff SAPS.
The accident marks the third major crash in the province in seven days to claim six lives. Last week, six people died in a crash near Aberdeen along the R61, while another six were killed in a separate accident near Komani.
Eastern Cape Transport MEC Xolile Nqatha has expressed his condolences to the families of the victims, describing the rising number of fatalities as deeply distressing.
“We are deeply saddened by this loss of life. Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families and the injured. Eighteen lives lost in three crashes within seven days is a painful reminder of the devastating impact of road crashes on our communities,” Nqatha said.
He urged motorists, particularly those transporting passengers, to exercise caution, ensure their vehicles are roadworthy and adapt their driving to prevailing road conditions.
“We cannot allow such tragedies to become just another statistic. Every life matters, and we all have a responsibility to make our roads safer,” he said.
The latest crash has renewed concerns over road safety in the province, with authorities appealing to motorists to prioritise the safety of passengers and other road users.
No tags for this post.
