A devastating accident on Waterdal Road in Sebokeng claimed two lives and left fourteen others injured early Monday morning, June 24.
The incident involved a minibus taxi that overturned after swerving to avoid a pedestrian.
According to sources close to the investigation, the tragic incident occurred at approximately 6:00 AM as the minibus was en route from Tshepong and Eatonside to Three Rivers.
Eyewitnesses alleged that the driver attempted to avoid hitting a pedestrian crossing the road.
Unfortunately, the minibus lost control, struck the pedestrian, and overturned, scattering passengers across the road.
Different paramedics and several other law enforcement services including Emfuleni Traffic, and the SAPS Accident unit arrived on the scene shortly before 06h00 to find the taxi in the middle of the road with several people lying around the vehicle.
Following the incident, one passenger from the minibus died on the scene, fourteen others were assessed and found to have sustained injuries ranging from critical to minor.
The patients were treated and provided with advanced life-support interventions before they were transported to nearby hospitals for further care.
One person was airlifted and others were transported to several local hospitals for moderation.
Social media was abuzz following the incident, with many motorists and passengers from other taxis sending emergency messages to different groups pertaining to the incident.
In a voice note, a lady sender with her voice shaking from the incident said “Morning residents of Eatonside, one of our taxis rolled over in Serope Sabenya. We are not sure if they are all right. Those with family members traveling to Three Rivers every morning, please check on your loved ones.”
Another voice note sent out by a male described what might have occurred in the accident.
“The report coming from me [As I was at the scene], a taxi was disturbed by a pedestrian, the taxi plunged into the pedestrian and died on the scene. The taxi was carrying fourteen passengers including the driver. One passenger died on the scene, one person was airlifted and others were taken to local hospitals,” he said.
Sedibeng police spokesman Captain Fikile Funda said a case of culpable homicide is being investigated.
