Durban — Multiple families are reeling in shock after three separate car accidents claimed 21 lives in KwaZulu-Natal over the weekend.
All three accidents happened on Saturday.
In the first one, 12 people died on the R622 Greytown road. In the second accident, six people – uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) members – died, and in the third incident, a Michaelhouse pupil and his parents died.
Michaelhouse rector Antony Clark said the school was devastated to inform the Michaelhouse community that one of its E Block (Grade 8) boys, Garth Finnemore, died in a car accident on Saturday, along with his parents, Gareth and Olivia.
Clark said: “He was travelling home from a Sevens rugby event at Wembley College with his parents and younger brother, who was transported in a critical condition to hospital.”
Clark said the staff and pastoral team at Michaelhouse were engaging with the boys “at this difficult time”, and shared their thoughts and prayers with the Finnemore family.
In another incident, Midlands Emergency Medical Services (EMS) operations director Roland Robertson confirmed that their crews were dispatched to the R622 Greytown road following a head-on collision.
“Upon arrival, crews were met with a horrific scene. Eleven people showed no signs of life and were declared dead on the scene. A 12-year-old boy, the sole survivor from one of the vehicles, was found in a critical condition. He was rushed to a specialist hospital.”
Robertson said another person also sustained serious injuries and required urgent medical attention.
It was later confirmed that a 12th person had died in hospital.
In a separate incident, six people died when the vehicle they were travelling in crashed on the R74 Kranskop road between Estcourt and Nkandla. The deceased were MKP members. They were among 17 people travelling in the vehicle.
Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) chief provincial inspector Andre Horner said six women died in the accident, 10 women were seriously injured and one was not that serious.
It is alleged that the vehicle had brake failure and the driver lost control. The vehicle hit a crash barrier and caught alight on the roadway.
MKP spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela said the party was deeply saddened by the tragedy. He said the party would never forget the contribution made by the six members who had perished with their boots on.
Ndhlela said: “The MKP is deeply saddened by the passing of the six members in a tragic accident, when their taxi burnt with them trapped inside. We as the leaders of the party send our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to their next of kin and assure their families of our support during these trying times.
“As the MKP, we salute their bravery and we shall pick up the spear and continue the battle,” he said.
KZN Human Settlements and Transport MEC, Siboniso Duma, extended heartfelt condolences to the families of victims. “We have brought in the national Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), the department’s Road Traffic Inspectorate and the SAPS. The main focus is to determine whether there is negligence or to ascertain the root cause of the incident. We do this to prevent recurrence and, where necessary, ensure that criminal prosecution is undertaken.”
Duma said they would ensure that the Road Accident Fund was part of engagements with the families. He is expected to visit some of the families of the victims to pay his condolences.
IPSS Medical Rescue spokesperson Samantha Meyrick said that on Saturday evening, IPSS Medical responded to a collision on the R74 link road between Stanger and the N2. Witnesses said the car was T-boned while turning across the road.
“The three occupants of the car, including a young child, succumbed to their injuries and were declared deceased on the scene. One occupant of the second vehicle sustained serious injuries, and was transported to a nearby facility for further care,” Meyrick said.
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