News24 | Head-on collision in Eastern Cape claims 6 lives, injures 16

Six people, including both drivers, were killed and sixteen others were injured in a head-on collision on the T30 road in Ngqeleni, Eastern Cape.

• Six people, including both drivers, were killed, and sixteen others were injured when two vehicles collided head-on on the T30 road in Ngqeleni, Eastern Cape, on Monday.
• Both vehicles caught fire upon impact, and some victims were burned beyond recognition.
• The injured were transported to Mthatha General Hospital and Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital.

Six people died, and sixteen others have been injured after a minibus taxi and a car collided head-on along the T30 road in Ngqeleni, near Mampondo, in the Eastern Cape.

According to the provincial Department of Transport, the crash occurred at around 14:45 on Monday near the Cash and Carry in the Lujecweni administrative area, en route to Mthatha.

Transport spokesperson Unathi Binqose said preliminary reports suggest the two vehicles were travelling in opposite directions when they collided head-on.

“The minibus taxi was reportedly carrying approximately 18 occupants and was heading towards Ngqeleni, while the light motor vehicle, a Hyundai, had three occupants, including two adults and a minor,” he said.

“Upon impact, both vehicles caught fire.”

He confirmed that six people, including both drivers and four passengers, were declared dead at the scene.

He added:

All 16 injured passengers were transported to Mthatha General Hospital and Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital for further medical treatment.

“Emergency services and law enforcement promptly responded to the scene, and the roadway was temporarily affected while rescue operations and clean-up efforts took place,” Binqose said.

READ | Eastern Cape Tiktoker, rapper Junior King dies in horror crash

ALS paramedics, who responded to the scene, said multiple people were trapped in both vehicles and were killed when they couldn’t escape the flames.

“Paramedics from multiple ambulance services worked together to treat multiple patients,” spokesperson Garrith Jamieson said.

Binqose said the cause of the crash was unknown and that a case of culpable homicide would be opened with the Ngqeleni police for further investigation.

He urged motorists to exercise extreme caution, adhere to traffic regulations, and prioritise the roadworthiness of vehicles, especially when travelling on busy regional routes.

“The Eastern Cape Department of Transport extends its heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and wishes a speedy recovery to those who were injured,” he said.