Tragedy on R63: 15 people dead after head-on collision in Eastern Cape

A PRELIMINARY report on the devastating head-on collision on the R63 in the Eastern Cape at the weekend that claimed 15 lives is expected in 48 hours, the Transport department says. 

“The department, through the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), is investigating the cause of the accident in collaboration with the Saps and provincial authorities,” the department said Sunday afternoon.

Authorities were also in the process of identifying the 15 victims - eight men, six women and one child - who lost their lives in the horror crash involving a double cab bakkie and a quantum taxi.

“A total of 15 people have died and five others sustained injuries in a head-on collision involving a fully loaded minibus taxi and a bakkie. The accident occurred on the R63 road between Adelaide and Maqoma (Fort Beaufort) at about midnight on Saturday.

“It is alleged that a white Quantum, travelling from Qonce (King Williams Town) to Cape Town collided head on with Isuzu Double Cab that was travelling from Adelaide to Kwamaqoma direction.

"The driver of the Double Cab died on the scene and passengers in the Quantum were also declared dead on the scene including the driver,” said Eastern Cape Department of Transport, spokesperson, Unathi Bhinqose. 

He said the six injured occupants of the quantum were rushed to a local hospital for treatment, where two of them later succumbed to injuries, bringing the number of deceased to 15.

Approached for comment, Eastern Cape police referred questions back to Bhinqose who said an inquest docket had been opened for further investigation as both drivers died in the crash.

“The identification of the deceased is currently underway so we do not know all the deceased by their names and their ages, we are depending on their families to supply us with that information. That process is still underway,” he added. 

A family member of the bakkie’s driver, Lindokuhle Tsobo, said: “It is with boundless grief to announce the passing of our brother, son, friend. Siyabonga was great guy, kind hearted/ talkative, love(d) friends. More details about funeral will be communicated. As a family we request respect and be allowed to mourn as he was the elder at home, in the society.”

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy and Deputy Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa expressed their condolences to the bereaved families.

Cape Times