A husband, his wife and their one-year-old child were among the four people who died instantly after the vehicle they were travelling in was involved in a head-on collision with another outside Lichtenburg town (North West) over the weekend.
They were: Lucas Setlhoke; his wife Semetlha and their baby girl (no identity yet). The fourth victim, who was the driver of the Toyota Conquest they were travelling in, was Benjamin Tinyane.
Their ages could not be confirmed.
The victims were travelling to Kuruman (North Cape) from Rustenburg when the accident occurred. The two men were workers at one of the mines in the Rustenburg area.
Meanwhile, the condition of two other people, who were travelling from Atamelang Location to Lichtenburg town in a bakkie, was described as serious by noon yesterday.
A middle-aged man, driver of the bakkie (Ford Bantam) and an elderly woman have been admitted at separate hospitals in Mafikeng and Lichtenburg.
The accident happened on the Lichtenburg-Bessiesvlei road at about 10h00. Paramedics battled for approximately an hour to free the bodies trapped in the wreckage. North West Transport MEC, Mahlakeng Mahlakeng witnessed the fresh accident scene and the horrendous task as paramedics used the jaws of life to free the trapped bodies from the wreckage.
The cause of the accident is being investigated, though preliminary investigations suggest that the driver of the bakkie may have lost control of his vehicle and drove head-on into the oncoming car.
Mahlakeng expressed shock and conveyed his condolences to the relatives of the deceased and also wished the two injured victims a speedy recovery.
Enquiries:
Matshube Mfoloe
Director: Communication
Cell: 082 305 4594
Issued by: Department of Transport, North West Provincial Government
28 June 2009
