Family of Five Killed in Umzumbe Head-On Crash as Another 10 Die in Free State Bus Collision
South Africa has been hit by yet another wave of heartbreaking road tragedies, with two separate crashes claiming the lives of at least 15 people across KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State between Friday evening and early Saturday morning.
Five Members of One Family Killed in Umzumbe Head-On Collision
A KwaZulu-Natal family was wiped out in a horrifying head-on collision on the N2 near Umzumbe on Friday evening.
Authorities say the crash involved a light motor vehicle and a seven-seater minibus on a stretch of road leading to the Umzumbe River bridge.
Three children, aged between three and five, and two adults believed to be their parents died instantly at the scene.
A woman and a 14-year-old boy, who were also occupants of the vehicle, survived and were rushed to hospital for emergency treatment.
Police have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the crash.
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Free State Bus-Truck Collision Claims 10 Lives
In a separate incident mere hours later, another tragedy unfolded in the Free State.
A bus and a truck collided between Bloemfontein and Botshabelo in the early hours of Saturday morning, leaving 10 people dead and scores injured.
According to Free State Road Incident Management Systems Chairperson Sipho Towa, seven of the injured are in critical condition, while at least 30 others sustained injuries ranging from minor to serious.
Towa said severe weather conditions may have contributed to the intensity of the crash.
Emergency Crews Overwhelmed as Weather Worsens
Emergency responders were dispatched to three different healthcare facilities to accommodate the high number of injured passengers.
The crash also caused major traffic disruptions along the affected route, with most Bloemfontein-bound lanes closed for hours.
Authorities have urged motorists to drive cautiously amid ongoing adverse weather and residual congestion.
With the festive season just weeks away, both provinces are urging road users to exercise extreme caution.
“Road conditions are unpredictable at this time of year. We urge motorists to slow down and remain alert,” Towa said.