KZN crash toll rises to 14

2008-07-18 10:26

This is all that remains of a minibus taxi that collided with a lorry on the R103 in KwaZulu-Natal, killing 14 people. (Ladysmith Gazette, Sapa)

Ladysmith - The death toll of a crash near Ladysmith involving two trucks, two cars and a minibus taxi has gone up to 14, the KwaZulu-Natal Transport department said on Friday.

Spokesperson Zinhle Mngomezulu said the latest victim died in hospital.

The collision took place on the R103 between Ladysmith and the N3 highway on Thursday.

Police Captain Charmaine Struwig said it was believed that a truck veered into oncoming traffic, colliding with the taxi. Another truck and two cars behind the taxi then crashed into it.

"The taxi was completely ripped open and the majority of the passengers were flung out onto the road. The two cars had then (driven over) some of the bodies," she said at the time.

Police were still searching for the driver of the first truck who was believed to have fled the scene.

"He has not yet been found," said Mngomezulu.

- SAPA