[Update] Isipingo accident: Taxi was allegedly overloaded
ALS Paramedics' spokesperson Garrith Jamieson said 11 people died and seven were rushed to various hospitals, bringing the total number of people in the taxi to 18, including the driver.
IT HAS since emerged that the minibus taxi that collided with a truck at Lotus Park in Isipingo earlier today (January 29) was overloaded.
Also watch: [Video] Horrific fatal Isipingo accident leads to road closure
The accident happened just before 08:00 on Wanda Cele Road (R102) near Orient Hills Primary School. Events leading up to the collision are unknown, but the road was slippery as it was raining.
ALS Paramedics spokesperson Garrith Jamieson said 11 people died and seven were rushed to various hospitals, bringing the total number of people in the taxi to 18, including the driver, who was among the injured. Minibus taxis are certified to carry 14 passengers. Jamieson said the truck driver was not injured.
“The exact cause of this collision is unknown, however, the police and officials from the Department of Transport are in attendance and will be investigating further,” said Jamieson.
The MEC for the Transport and Human Settlements Department, Siboniso Duma, arrived at the scene and noted that the truck’s tyres were worn and the driver’s public driving permit expired in 2023.
“The owners of the truck must face consequences for only focusing on maximising profit and not ensuring the roadworthiness of the truck,” said Duma.
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