SASOLBURG – A 23-year-old man lost his life in a horrific head-on collision involving a fuel tanker truck and a white Isuzu bakkie on the notorious R59 on Tuesday, June 2.

This comes after the two vehicles collided head-on when the white bakkie was allegedly overtaking, driving towards Vereeniging.

Following the fatal crash, traffic was brought to a standstill for hours as emergency services, traffic officials, and law enforcement agencies descended on the scene near Taaibos Bridge.

When Ster arrived at the scene, recovery teams were loading the mangled wreckage of the Isuzu onto a flatbed truck, with only the load bin remaining to identify the vehicle.

Another group of rescue teams monitored the fuel tanker, which came to rest on the opposite side of the road.

The severity of the accident forced authorities to shut down sections of the R59 while emergency crews worked to secure the scene.

Free State traffic officers diverted motorists travelling towards Sasolburg via the Escort Road for several hours as the tanker’s contents had to be transferred into another trailer before it could be removed.

Fezile Dabi District police spokesperson, Sergeant Josephine Rani, confirmed that a culpable homicide case has been opened by Viljoensdrif police.

“It is alleged that a white Scania truck travelling from Vereeniging towards Koppies collided head-on with a white Isuzu bakkie that was overtaking while travelling in the opposite direction towards Vereeniging.”

She said emergency personnel declared the 23-year-old male driver of the bakkie dead at the scene.

“No arrests have been made, and investigations are continuing,” Rani added.

The latest tragedy once again highlights the dangers of the busy R59 route, which has claimed numerous lives over the years and remains a major concern for motorists travelling between Vereeniging and Sasolburg.