14 die in East Cape smashes
2003-03-17 09:57
East London - Fourteen people were killed in five separate road accidents in the Eastern Cape at the weekend.
Speeding and alcohol were believed to have been contributing factors in at least two of the accidents.
Among the victims was a pupil from Cradock High School, two policemen and a businessman, apparently from Knysna.
In a horror accident in Cradock on Sunday, two young people died when a BMW crashed into a tree in Neadsted Street about 02:00.
Inspector Stefanie Smith said the victims had been identified as RD Mulder, 17, a Grade 11 pupil at Cradock High and Suyivile Tshonti, 20, of Cradock.
Another pupil, Martin de Cancha, 17, a Grade 10 pupil at Cradock High, who was driving, was critically injured.
He was rushed to Greenacres Hospital in Port Elizabeth where he underwent emergency surgery and he is in the intensive-care unit on a life-support system.
Another passenger who survived, Shervin van Jaarsveld, also a pupil at Cradock High, was admitted to a Port Elizabeth hospital with various injuries and was due to undergo surgery.
Both drivers died instantly
Nine people died instantly in a head-collision about 17:30 on Saturday on the N10 highway between Paterson and Cookhouse.
Tsepho Machaea said of the provincial traffic department said the accident involved a Volkswagen Caravelle with one occupant and a minibus with 14 occupants. Both drivers died instantly.
Among others who died were two infants and two women. Machaea said five injured passengers were taken to various hospitals in Port Elizabeth.
"Three are believed to be in a critical condition," he said.
The cause of the accident has not been established. The names of the victims will be released once their next-of-kin have been notified.
On the R346 near King William's Town, an off-duty policeman died in a high-speed accident near the Horseshoe Motel.
Sergeant Zukile Mlilwana, 39, died when he crashed head-on into a minibus. Fourteen occupants in the minibus were taken to Grey Hospital by ambulance.
Twelve were treated and discharged and two youths were admitted with various injuries.
Two people died and three were injured at Mtshabe Junction between Engcobo and Cofimvaba on the R61 when a car left the road and overturned about 09:30 on Sunday.
- SAPA