A Toyota Hiace mini-bus from Mozambique reversed on Friday, 18 April around 05:00.
Sadly, two passengers - a man and a woman - lost their lives.
Three travelers received severe injuries, whereas eight more experienced slight injuries.
Two people, including the driver, did not sustain injuries.
The incident happened at the N4/4 Klein Olifants Dam, near Middelburg, at kilometer mark 26.0W.
The minibus was heading towards Carnival City with members from the IPAC church aboard.
Be responsible
The news of the accident comes a day after the Road Accident Fund (RAF) urged motorists to take responsibility on the roads over this Easter holiday, emphasizing the substantial financial impact that traffic collisions have on governmental budgets and community well-being.
During the 2023/2024 fiscal period, the RAF resolved claims amounting to R45.6 billion .
The total comprised R47 million for funeral claims, R21.6 billion for loss of income, R12.7 billion for general damages, R2.6 billion for loss of support, and R1.7 billion for medical expenses.
‘Fatality free’
The Royal Air Force appeals to South African motorists to ensure this Easter remains fatal-free by driving responsibly.
“Road fatalities and trauma result in devastating emotional, social and economic costs to the victims, their families and the country.
“This calls for an immediate change of attitude by all road users.
“Easter 2024 recorded the highest Easter weekend fatalities since 2019 with 335 deaths.
"This marked a significant rise from the 252 fatalities recorded in 2023," stated the RAF.
Mistakes made by people, problems with the vehicle, and conditions of the environment all played significant roles in contributing to this situation. 1 325 deaths documented during the Easter holiday weekends from 2019 through 2024 resulting from automobile accidents.
The main factors involving humans included overspeeding, crossing roads improperly, and fleeing after an accident.
The vehicle-related issues leading to the most significant accidents included tire blowouts, brake malfunctions, and worn-out tires. Meanwhile, environmental aspects like reduced visibility, acute curves, wandering livestock, and flaws in the roadway surface pose risks to individuals' safety on roads and necessitate increased vigilance.
Has you ever managed to make a successful claim through the RAF?
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