Two people died and nineteen people were injured in two separate crashes on the N4 Bakwena toll road between Rustenburg and Brits on Sunday afternoon.
A passenger in a taxi died and fourteen passengers who were in the vehicle sustained serious injuries after a Mercedes Benz that was making a u-turn near the Brits Plaza collided with the taxi. Four passengers who were in the Mercedes Benz also sustained serious injuries and were also taken by paramedics to Brits provincial hospital for treatment.
In the second accident that occurred about 22 kilometres outside Rustenburg towards Brits near Marikana. A passenger in a Ford Sierra vehicle allegedly panicked when the right rear tyre burst and tried to grab for the steering wheel from the driver. In the ensuing wrestle for control, the vehicle rolled and landed on its roof in the middle of the road. As a result of the crash, the flow of traffic was disrupted as traffic was confined to yellow lanes on both sides of the road.
The said passenger died at the scene of the accident while another sustained serious injuries and was rushed to Job Shimankane Tabane hospital. Three other passengers who were in the vehicle were miraculously unhurt.
Police are investigating cases of culpable homicide in both crashes.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele
Tel: 018 381 9171
Cell: 083 629 1987
Fax: 018 381 9123
E-mail: LKgwele@nwpg.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Public Safety, North West Provincial Government
11 October 2009
