Free State crash: 28 injured

Twenty-eight people were injured when two cars and a minibus collided about 50km north of Bloemfontein, paramedics have said.

Netcare 911 spokesperson Santi Steinmann said the accident happened at 11pm last night.

“One person sustained critical injuries and another two sustained serious injuries. The other 25 people were lucky to escape with minor injuries.”

Steinmann said the people were transported to hospital for further treatment.

The cause of the accident was unknown and would be investigated, she added.

15 people have died in three separate accidents on roads in North West over the weekend, the provincial department of human settlements, public safety and liaison said yesterday.

“According to traffic officials, all three fatal accidents were head-on collisions and speed and drunk driving are said to be the contributing factors that lead to the three incidents,” said spokesperson Simon Lesolang Mmope in a statement.

“According to reports, nine people were killed following the head-on collision while travelling in a bakkie and a sedan between Koster and Lichtenburg on Friday evening.”

Traffic officials reported that three of the nine killed in the accident were burned beyond recognition.

One passenger escaped with serious injuries. Police were still investigating.

Meanwhile, a father and a daughter were killed in a head on collision between Koster and Rustenburg on the R52.

“According to police the accident happened when another car was overtaking,” Mmope said.

“The driver of another vehicle has since been arrested and was charged for drunken driving. The accident happened around three o’clock in the early hours of Saturday morning.”

The other accident took place on the N12 between Klerksdorp and Potchefstroom.

A car reportedly crashed into a truck, resulting in the deaths of four people.

Police were investigating.

“Traffic officials also reported that about eight pedestrians have been killed on the provincial roads.”

Human Settlements, Public Safety and Liaison MEC Nono Maloyi appealed to motorists to be extra careful on the roads.

“Despite our efforts as government to put extra measures on our roads, we are calling on motorists to be responsible and partner with us in reducing road death,” said Maloyi.

- Sapa