SEVEN people died in a spate of road accidents across Zululand over the weekend, while multiple others were seriously injured.

A tragic accident last Friday at around 2.30pm on the N2 before KwaMbonambi northbound claimed five lives, including that of a child.

ALSO READ: Tragic N2 accident nearby Kwambo claims five lives

A total of four vehicles and 19 occupants were involved in the collision.

One person was in critical condition, while six were seriously injured, and six assessed as stable at the scene.

Mounties EMS team reported that two patients were declared deceased on their arrival, while three were critically injured.

Two people were entrapped, including the one driver of a vehicle who was resuscitated, but later succumbed to his injuries.

Two of the critical patients were taken to Ngwelezana Hospital, two of the seriously injured to Netcare The Bay Hospital, and the remaining four others to Nseleni Clinic.

A double cab was reportedly carrying 12 people, with most of the injuries from that vehicle.

“Preliminary information indicates that one LDV allegedly overtook another vehicle into oncoming traffic. It collided with an LDV [light duty vehicle] carrying 12 occupants.

“As control was lost, a third LDV collided head-on with the overtaking vehicle, which was then rear-ended by a fourth LDV,” said Mounties EMS owner Joseph Kruger.

Further accidents

Just an hour earlier on Friday, an accident on the R619 towards Aquadene involving a vehicle and a motorcycle claimed the life of the rider.

Sunday had another serious accident on the N2 northbound between Mposa and KwaMbonambi with two cars that collided with a truck.

One occupant died, another two had serious injuries, and five were left stable. The accident was also reportedly due to impatient drivers trying to overtake.

“Same scenario, one was overtaking with the oncoming truck. The one collided with the truck deceased. Because of that incident, another person tried to avoid it, but went off the road after knocking into the first vehicle,” said Kruger.

Not even half an hour passed before another accident was reported, this time on the N2 southbound near the Mtunzini Toll Plaza. In an attempt to avoid a vehicle that aquaplaned in front of her, a motorist lost control, went down the embankment and collided head-on with a tree.

The driver was seriously injured, but not in critical condition.

Sunday evening saw another accident on the N2 north (after the eShowe offramp) in Mandeni, with eight patients on scene ranging from minor to critical injuries, including a 12-year-old boy with critical injuries.

According to reports, a light motor vehicle rear-ended a taxi.

IPSS Medical Rescue worked to stabilise the young boy who was airlifted by a Netcare 911 helicopter to a facility for urgent care.

The remaining patients were stabilised on scene by IPSS, EMRS, and other private services before being transported to various facilities for further care.

“Please remember, scenes like this don’t end when you drive past them. Slow down. Make space. Emergency vehicles can’t save lives if they can’t get through. Stay safe. Stay patient,” advised Kruger.

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