Gauteng: At 18H00 Friday evening Netcare 911 responded to a helicopter crash at the Vaal Marina. Photo via Arrive Alive
Limpopo horror crash: Victims to be identified on Thursday
Some of the 17 people killed in the Limpopo road crash were burnt beyond recognition and now family members will submit DNA samples
Gauteng: At 18H00 Friday evening Netcare 911 responded to a helicopter crash at the Vaal Marina. Photo via Arrive Alive
The process to identify the victims of the horrific vehicle accident on the N1 in Limpopo, is expected to get underway on Thursday morning, 13 January 2022.
At least 17 people have been killed as a result of the road accident which occurred near Mookgophong. Eleven of the victims who died were confirmed dead by the authorities and are believed to have burnt to death.
The driver of an SUV lost control of the vehicle after a tyre burst and collided with a bus, which then burst into flames. For now, Limpopo’s Transport and Community Safety Department says an investigation is underway.
“The preliminary investigations are citing a tyre burst as a possible cause of the accident and investigations are continuing. A case of culpable homicide has been opened,” said spokesperson Mike Maringa.
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FAMILIES OF LIMPOPO CRASH TO SUBMIT DNA
As part of the process to identify the victims of the Limpopo road crash, some of their family members will be submitting their DNA samples, mainly because they were burnt beyond recognition.
The provincial Limpopo’s Transport and Community Safety Department had said six of the eight people who were admitted to have since been checked and discharged. While the bodies of the deceased were taken to forensic mortuaries in Bela-Bela and Mokopane.
“The bus burst into flames and 17 occupants trapped inside, including the driver, were burnt to death. The driver of the SUV was also killed on impact. Eight people survived, six are seriously injured and two escaped with minor injuries,”
Limpopo Transport and Community Safety spokesperson Mike Maringa.
When Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula released the road stats in December 2021, he expressed concern over accidents where multiple people die.
“Year-on-year, the number of fatalities has marginally declined by 3,1% from 848 in 2020 to 822 this year. We are seriously concerned about the high number of major crashes, where five or more people perish in a single incident,” Mbalula said at the time.
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