Seven killed in head-on horror crash on N4 Mpumalanga

Seven people lost their lives when two sedans collided head-on on the N4 toll road between Machadodorp and Belfast in Mpumalanga in the early hours of Saturday morning.

The crash occurred at about 1am, leaving one other occupant seriously injured and receiving treatment at a hospital in Belfast.

The cause of the crash is still under investigation, but preliminary indications point to dangerous overtaking and excessive speed as possible contributing factors.

Mpumalanga MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Jackie Macie, appealed to motorists to exercise extreme caution, particularly when driving at night.

“We are again appealing to motorists to be extremely vigilant, especially at night when visibility is reduced. Roads are shared spaces and drivers must do all in their might to prevent needless loss of life from deadly crashes,” Macie said.

He also urged motorists travelling long distances to take regular rest breaks to prevent fatigue.

Macie extended his condolences to the families of the deceased and wished the injured person a speedy recovery.

Police investigations into the crash are continuing.

On Friday, IOL reported that the Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety clarified on the fatal Christmas Day crash involving a passenger bus travelling to Zimbabwe, saying the probable cause of the accident was reckless and negligent driving.

The collision occurred at about 8.30 am on 25 December on the N1-29 near Musekene, between Masekwa Bricks and Masekena Garage in the Vhembe district.

According to the department, the crash happened when the driver of an Isuzu heavy motor vehicle overtook on a barrier line and collided head-on with an oncoming Delta passenger bus.

Both male drivers — from the bus and the Isuzu heavy motor vehicle — were killed on impact. Two passengers travelling in the bus sustained serious injuries, while four others were left critically injured.

jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za

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