Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele has conveyed condolences to the families of those who were killed in a road crash, which claimed the lives of nine people, on the N1 outside Polokwane earlier today Thursday, 18 June 2009.
“We are deeply saddened to learn of this tragic road crash which claimed the lives of nine people. We want to offer our sincere condolences to the families, relatives and friends of those who were killed and we wish those injured a speedy recovery. Our thoughts and prayers are with them all during these difficult moments,” said the Minister.
According to police reports, a bus and a truck were involved in a side-swipe collision on the N1 about 15km north of Polokwane. It is believed that some of the victims were thrown from the bus and six people died on the scene. It was reported that a fire broke out in the wreckage and rescue workers cleaning up afterwards found three more bodies when they lifted the remnants of the truck’s load which had been scattered on the highway. Eight men and one woman died and 53 people were taken to three different hospitals in the province for treatment.
Minister Ndebele has urged road users to exercise extreme caution and to obey the rules of the road.
Enquiries:
Logan Maistry
Cell: 083 644 4050
Issued by: Department of Transport
18 June 2009
