Taxi from Caletonville involved in last week’s horror crash
Residents raise safety concerns over missing road signs and alleged failure by motorists to stop at notorious crossing.
A huge accident at the dangerous crossing of the R500 and R54 near Fochville claimed the lives of nine people on May 29.
According to authorities, a minibus taxi coming from Carletonville collided with a truck at approximately 01:00 in the morning.
The taxi was filled with people travelling from Carletonville to Lesotho. Eight people, one of them a child in his early teens, died at the horrific scene. Another passenger passed away in the hospital.
Seven other patients were taken to hospitals in Gauteng and Parys by the Gauteng Emergency Medical Services, Gladiator Distress Alert, and ER24.
The crossing was partially closed for hours after the accident as the truck had to be towed away. Many residents complained after the accident that, especially, trucks coming from both the Potchefstroom and Vereeniging sides do not stop at the crossing.
Some also mentioned that there are currently no stop signs warning motorists entering the crossing from the Fochville and Parys sides.
Because of this, some residents are not even sure whether vehicles coming from the Fochville and Parys sides are expected to stop at this crossing.
The Herald took these issues to the Department of Roads and Transport’s Krugersdorp Regional Manager, Bulelwa Thomas. She referred the Herald to Sanral, who is responsible for maintenance at this crossing.
