15 People Killed, 5 Seriously Injured in Horror Head-On Collision on R63 in Eastern Cape
In a devastating incident on the R63 between Adelaide and Maqoma in the Eastern Cape, 15 people were killed and five others sustained serious injuries when a minibus taxi and a bakkie collided head-on.
The accident occurred on the morning of May 4 and has been described as one of the deadliest crashes in the province in recent years, surpassing even the festive season and Easter holiday road death tolls.
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Collision Between Fully Loaded Minibus and Bakkie
According to Provincial Transport Department spokesperson Unathi Binqose, a Toyota Quantum taxi, travelling from Qonce to Cape Town, collided head-on with an Isuzu double cab bakkie heading from Adelaide toward KwaMaqoma.
“It is alleged that a white Quantum, travelling from Qonce to Cape Town, collided head-on with an Isuzu double cab that was travelling from Adelaide to KwaMadoma direction. The driver of the double cab died on the scene and 13 occupants in the Quantum were also declared dead on the scene,” said Binqose.
Another injured passenger later died at the hospital, bringing the total number of fatalities to 15.
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Police Open Inquest Docket
Authorities have since opened an inquest docket as investigations continue. The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) and traffic experts are expected to probe the cause of the crash thoroughly.
“This is by far the deadliest crash we have experienced in a long time in Eastern Cape,” said Binqose.
Transport MEC Sends Condolences
Eastern Cape MEC for Transport, Xolile Nqatha, expressed his condolences to the bereaved families and called for a full investigation into the incident.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with those families that have lost their loved ones, and we are calling for investigators to leave nothing to chance,” he said.