11 killed,13 others injured in N1 crash involving bus and taxi.

The Easter weekend started off on a grim note, as eleven people lost their lives and thirteen others were injured, on the N1 on Friday morning.

The incident, involving a bus and a taxi, occurred around 5a.m on the N1 between Leeu Gamka and Beaufort West. According to the Road Traffic Management Corporation, the taxi was travelling from the Western- to the Eastern Cape. Its alleged that the taxi had a flat tyre, and that the bus drove into the taxi.

The exact cause of the crash is being investigated.

The Western Cape's Transport and Public Works MEC, Daylinn Mitchell, urged road users to be cautious this long weekend.

“I am traveling across the province to join operations and to assist our teams in the field to keep fatalities to a minimum, but we cannot do it alone, we need every road user’s support.”

“It is disheartening that despite the hard work our officers and road safety management teams are doing that we have to start, what should be a time of peace and reflection, in such a way,” added Mitchell

He reminded motorists to follow the rules of the road.

“Driving in the emergency lane (also known as the yellow lane or shoulder) is prohibited between dusk and dawn as well as in instances where visibility is less than 150 meters such as in inclement weather like rain, mist and fog or even smoke.”

“Also, ensure that your vehicle has a warning triangle which you must use to forewarn other road users should your vehicle break down or to replace a flat tyre,” he added.

 

COURTESY: RTMC

Done By: Mitchum George