Answers demanded over New Year’s Day crash that killed 5 – Stanger

The Stanger community are calling for answers on a New Year’s Day crash involving a local paramedic service which claimed the lives of five residents.

The men who died were travelling in an IPSS Medical Rescue vehicle driven by paramedic Gino Perez on January 1 on the R74 at Stanger Manor when he apparently lost control and crashed into an embankment.

All five passengers, who were not connected with the paramedic service, died while Perez escaped with minor injuries.

IPSS Medical Rescue spokesperson Paul Herbst issued a statement shortly after the accident saying their paramedic was off-duty at the time.

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They also offered a R50 000 reward, which they later retracted, for information on a second vehicle which they allege was making a U-turn in the road.

However the police say they know nothing about a second vehicle.

“An investigation revealed that a second vehicle was involved,” said Herbst.

“It allegedly made a U-turn on the R74 possibly leading to the accident.

“This vehicle was damaged and removed from the scene immediately afterward by a green breakdown to a panel beater in Stanger where it is being repaired.”

This week Herbst said they had found the vehicle and its driver and that a sworn statement had been given to police.

The family of the deceased have publicly questioned this information saying it did not add up.

They also claimed they have not had any communication from KwaDukuza SAPS since the accident.

Investigating detective Mhlongo told the Courier last Friday that he did not know about the driver of an alleged second vehicle being found.

“I read newspaper reports and heard from the media that the second vehicle was located but this is not the case.

“We are investigating a single vehicle collision where the driver of the vehicle allegedly lost control.”

Detective Mhlongo also said he was trying to obtain video footage from a local garage after claims were made that the driver had been drinking there before the accident.

The brother of one of the victims, Mthokozisi Nxumalo, said his family had been kept in the dark about the investigation.

“There has been no communication from SAPS and they only give us a bit of feedback when we go to the station.”

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