R61 Collision: Death toll risen to 11 (9 adults and 2 children)

The fatal collision on the R61 between Flagstaff and Lusikisiki in the Eastern Cape claimed two more lives, increasing the death toll to 11.

RTMC CONFIRMS MORE FATALITIES IN THE R61 COLLISION

Initially, the Eastern Cape Department of Transport confirmed multi fatalities in excess of 9 people, in a head-on collision involving a minibus taxi and one of the long distance buses on Sunday, 4 June.

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The latest update from the Road Traffic Corporation (RTMC), the bus was allegedly transporting 18 occupants travelling from Lusikisiki while the Minibus was allegedly transporting 16 occupants which were travelling from Flagstaff towards Lusikisiki.

“The crash resulted in 11 fatalities ( 9 adults and 2 children from the Minibus).”

RTMC

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THE NUMBER OF INJURIES FROM THE EASTERN CAPE CRASH

“There were 7 persons injured from the Minibus ( 6 serious and the driver sustained slight injuries) whilst 8 occupants from the bus sustained slight injuries. The injured were taken to Holy Cross Hospital in Flagstaff,” RTMC reported.

Meanwhile, the 11 deceased were rushed to a government mortuary and awaited family members to identify the bodies.

“The cause of the crash is unknown and will be subject to the ongoing investigation,” RTMC added.
However, human error is suspected.

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TRUCK DRIVER ARRESTED FOR NON-COMPLIANCE

Meanwhile, a truck driver was arrested on the N12 highway near the Atlas Road off-ramp on Wednesday, 24 May by the National Traffic Police for allegedly driving an unroadworthy heavy goods vehicle loaded with steel estimated at R 4 million.
At around 08:30am while patrolling the highway members of the unit reached a scene and found a stationary 24-wheeler truck in the middle of the road causing a major traffic backlog.
Upon inspection, authorities discovered the truck and trailer had numerous defects, including all 24 tyres worn out with exposed wires.
“Due to friction and heavy load some of the tyres were rubbing against each other on the axle of the trailer,” said RTMC

According to the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), the truck was travelling from Germiston to Mpumalanga along the N12 highway and did not have a licence disc displayed.
“Both the driver a Zimbabwean national and the operator from KMB product company had no public transport documentation and have been taken into police custody,” RTMC reported, adding that the driver will face charges of reckless and negligent driving and operating an unroadworthy vehicle.

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