Mpuma bakkie crash toll rises to 7
2013-01-02 18:38
Johannesburg - Two teenagers died in hospital after their
bakkie overturned in Bushbuckridge, bringing the death toll from Monday's
accident to seven, the Mpumalanga community safety department said.
"Two more people died in hospital on Tuesday,
bringing the total number of fatalities in Monday's accident to seven,"
spokesperson Joseph Mabuza said on Wednesday.
"The 16-year-old driver is amongst those who
died."
A Nissan Navara, being driven by a boy initially thought
to be 14-years-old, overturned at New Forest, between Thulamahashe and
Dwarsloop, at 23:40 on Monday.
Six people were seriously injured.
Community Safety and Liaison MEC Vusi Shongwe on Tuesday
called for the bakkie's owner to be arrested "as accidents such as these
could be avoided by not allowing youngsters to access vehicles".
However, Mabuza confirmed on Wednesday that the
teenager's parents reported the vehicle stolen on Tuesday.
"As a department we will not be opening a case, but
the police would continue with their investigations."
The victims were still being identified.
- SAPA
