Fiery crash - eyewitness dies

2009-07-03 13:03

Bloemfontein - Seven people were killed in a vehicle accident while a witness to the accident died of a suspected heart attack near Rouxville on Friday, police said.

Sergeant Thandi Mbambo said the accident happened at 06:00 on the road between Rouxville and Smithfield.

Two vehicles, a sedan with five occupants - four women and a man - and a bakkie with two people, were involved in the accident.

They were all burned beyond recognition after the vehicles caught fire.

Mbambo said the sedan and another vehicle were travelling in convoy and the passengers of the two vehicles were relatives.

Mbambo said it was alleged that the group were travelling from Brakpan to King William's Town to perform a cultural ritual.

"The relatives in the other vehicle did not witness the accident as they were following from a distance. They arrived at the scene whilst the two vehicles were already burning."

Mbambo said a woman who arrived on the accident scene collapsed and died, apparently due to a suspected heart attack.

Police said it was not yet known how the accident happened but a case of culpable homicide had been registered for further investigation.

- SAPA