13 Killed In Two Eastern Cape N2 Crashes In Less Than 48 Hours

Thirteen people have been killed in two separate crashes on the N2 in the Eastern Cape in less than 48 hours, following a fatal collision involving a Toyota Quantum minibus taxi and a Mercedes-Benz truck near Mount Ayliff on Saturday morning.

Provincial transport spokesperson Unathi Binqose said the six victims, comprising five men and one woman, died when the vehicles collided at approximately 7am. Three other people sustained serious injuries, while another three suffered minor injuries.

The Toyota Quantum was travelling from Alice when it collided with the truck, which was heading from Kokstad towards Mzamba.

Minibus Taxi Allegedly Crossed Into Truck’s Path

According to Binqose, preliminary information suggests that the minibus taxi crossed into the path of the oncoming truck, resulting in a head-on collision.

“Preliminary information suggests that the Toyota Quantum crossed into the path of the oncoming truck, resulting in a head-on collision,” Binqose said.

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He added that driver fatigue was also suspected to have contributed to the crash, although the exact circumstances remain under investigation by police.

Emergency services attended to the injured passengers before transporting them to medical facilities for treatment.

Authorities Yet To Confirm Victims’ Identities

The six people who died are believed to have been university students travelling home. However, Binqose said their identities, as well as their student status, had not yet been formally confirmed.

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Authorities are expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the collision as the investigation continues.

Second Deadly N2 Crash In Less Than 24 Hours

Saturday’s collision came less than a day after another devastating crash on the N2 near Ndabakazi, where seven people, including a five-year-old boy, were killed on Friday.

That collision involved a Suzuki seven-seater and a Toyota Corolla. Binqose said drunk driving and poor visibility caused by mist were suspected to have contributed to the Friday crash.

The two incidents have claimed 13 lives in less than two days, raising renewed concern over road safety along the busy Eastern Cape route.