Midlands EMS described the accident on the R617 in Merrivale KwaZulu-Natal, where 11 people died, as gruesome.
DURBAN – A police officer who was directing traffic following an accident is one of 11 people who died in multi-vehicle collisions on the R617 in Merrivale in KwaZulu-Natal on Saturday.
Midlands EMS spokesperson Roland Robertson said Midlands EMS Howick advanced life support ambulances were dispatched to the R617 just after 9.30pm.
Robertson said when paramedics arrived, they were met with a gruesome scene.
He said the accident scene stretched about 200m on the road. “It is alleged that there was a motor vehicle accident on the corner when a taxi lost control, hitting into the barrier causing a secondary accident with other vehicles and SAPS members,” said Robertson.
The KZN Department of Transport, Community Safety and Liaison said in a statement on Sunday that acting MEC Jomo Sibiya would visit the scene of the horror accident on the R617
“Reports suggest that 11 people including a police officer perished on the scene,” said the department.
The department said 10 occupants from a minibus taxi were killed, as well as a police officer who was directing traffic.
“Another accident occurred on the N11 near Dundee, where a total of six people died,” added the department.
KZN Emergency Medical Services spokesperson Robert McKenzie said the crash on the N11 involved three motor vehicles.
