A tragic weekend on in our area resulted in two serious motor vehicle accidents, claiming the lives of three people, including one child, while placing enormous pressure on emergency services.

According to the Fochville CPF’s spokesperson, Damian Wichtmann, the first accident occurred on the N12 between Fochville and Potchefstroom at about 14:20. A Volkswagen Caddy travelling from Potchefstroom towards Johannesburg was involved in a head-on collision with a Fiat travelling from Johannesburg towards Potchefstroom.

Although the exact cause remains under police investigation, it is believed that overtaking may have caused the collision.

The driver of the Volkswagen Caddy was declared deceased on the scene. One passenger in the Caddy sustained minor injuries, while the occupants of the Fiat escaped without injury.

The Fochville Traffic Department managed traffic at the scene from 14:00 until 01:00, ensuring the safety of road users while emergency personnel attended to the incident.

Emergency services that responded included the SAPS, the Fochville Community Policing Forum (CPF), Gauteng Provincial Government Emergency Medical Services (GPG EMS), ER24, the Fochville Traffic Department, the Fire Department, which carried out an entrapment rescue, SANRAL, forensic investigators, the police photographer and Droogtes Towing Services.

At approximately 18:00 the same afternoon, a second serious accident occurred on the R500 just beyond Monkey Mountain on the route from Carletonville towards Fochville. The driver of a Ford Ka with five passengers lost control of the vehicle and left the road. A 14-year-old boy and a woman (38) died at the scene.

The police in Wedela, in which policing precinct the accident occurred, accompanied the car’s driver to Carletonville Hospital to have his blood drawn and later charged him for driving under the influence of liquor.

The R500 towards Carletonville was closed for several hours while emergency personnel attended to the incident and cleared the scene.

Responding agencies included SAPS Fochville, SAPS Wedela, Fochville CPF, GPG EMS Fochville, Carletonville and Wedela, the Fire Departments of Fochville and Carletonville, the West Rand District Municipality (WRDM) Disaster Management Team, Chaplaincy SA, SANRAL, forensic investigators and the police photographer.

“The Fochville CPF expressed its sincere appreciation to all emergency personnel, law enforcement officers and volunteers who worked tirelessly for many hours under extremely challenging conditions on one of the region’s busiest roads. Special recognition is extended to Lieutenant Colonel Levy Molepo of Fochville SAPS, who remained at the R500 accident scene until it was fully cleared. Many responders were required to assist at both accident scenes throughout the day,” says Wichtmann.

Authorities have once again appealed to motorists to exercise extreme caution, obey traffic laws and refrain from dangerous overtaking, particularly on busy routes, to help prevent further tragedies. The CPF also urges members of the public not to stop at accident scenes unless requested to do so by emergency services, not to take photographs or videos of victims, and not to interfere with active emergency operations as such actions can hinder rescue efforts, compromise investigations and show a lack of respect for those affected.

“The Fochville Community Policing Forum extends its deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathies to the families, friends and loved ones of those who lost their lives during these tragic incidents. The thoughts and prayers of the community are with them during this difficult time,” Wichtmann added.