Six people, four of whom are Egyptian refugees, were killed when a Mazda drifter bakkie and an Opel Corsa sedan collided head-on near Rooigrond on the R503 Mafikeng-Lichtenburg road on Mafikeng on Wednesday evening. Two of the occupants who were in the sedan were burned beyond recognition after their vehicle overturned and burst into flames on impact at approximately 20h00.
Jaws of life were used by firemen to free the bodies of the four Egyptian refugees from the wreckage of their vehicle. The road was closed to traffic for about two hours as emergency personnel struggled to free the bodies of the victims from both wreckages. Rain that started soon after the accident made it difficult for the paramedics to retrieve the bodies of the unidentified pair from the Opel Corsa.
North West MEC for Public Safety, Howard Yawa who also rushed to the accident scene described it as the most horrific accident scene he had ever witnessed.
MEC Yawa has conveyed his condolences to the families of the people who died in the tragic accident and welcomed the pledge made on Thursday by the Road Accident Fund to assist families with burial costs as soon as their identities have been established and their next of kin notified.
Meanwhile, Yawa who will be launching Speed to Easter Arrive Alive Campaign next Thursday in the province appeals to motorists to reduce speed which contributes towards most accidents and is suspected to have been the cause of the accident.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele
Tel: 018 381 9171
Cell: 083 629 1987
E-mail: LKgwele@nwpg.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Public Safety, North West Provincial Government
18 March 2010
