Three killed and 24 injured in weekend collisions
Eleven passengers on the minibus were seriously injured. It is believed that the deceased had been driving the car at the time of the collision.
The lives of six school pupils were irrevocably changed on Friday afternoon when two bakkies collided 10km outside Ladysmith on the Ezakheni road.
Two pupils, boys between the ages of 16 and 17, lost their lives.
Paramedics from KZN Emergency Medical Services (EMS) attended to the injured.
The four surviving patients were stabilised by EMS and were rushed to Ladysmith Provincial Hospital for further treatment, with the help of other medical services.
KwaZulu-Natal EMS Media Liaison Officer , Robert Mckenzie explained the injuries of the children, “One patient was critically injured, two had been seriously injured and a fourth had sustained only minor injuries. It is believed one of the vehicles was transporting children from school.”
The cause of the crash is still being investigated.
A second collision between a minibus and a car on the R34, Newcastle to Blood River, occurred within a few minutes after the Ladysmith collision, with another fatality reported.
Mr Mckenzie, confirmed a minibus carrying passengers had collided with a car during this incident.
Eleven passengers on the minibus were seriously injured. It is believed that the deceased had been driving the car at the time of the collision.
In yet another incident, nine people travelling on the R34 towards Blood River on Saturday, were also placed in a possibly deadly situation, when the driver lost control of the vehicle and it overturned.
The incident occurred at around 8.30am.
Several passengers were injured and were taken to Vryheid Hospital for treatment.
Five people sustained critical or code red injuries and needed emergency treatment.
Mr Mckenzie said paramedics had worked extremely hard to ensure no lives were lost in the incident.
“Drivers should be wary of drinking and driving, and always remain careful on the roads. Please drive safely, and cautiously especially during the weekends, when traffic on these roads increase,” advised Mr Mckenzie.
