On Saturday night, 6 July 2024, emergency services responded to a tragic head-on collision between a VW Golf and a Toyota Avanza approximately 20 km out of Ermelo on the Lothair Road.
Sadly, four men, including the driver and back passenger from the Golf and the driver and a passenger from the Avanza, lost their lives in the accident. Paramedics declared all four deceased at the scene.
One female passenger in the Avanza was trapped in the wreckage, requiring the specialised hydraulic tools (Jaws of Life) of the Msukaligwa Fire and Rescue Services to free her. At the time of publication, the exact number of total injured persons remains unclear, but it is believed, according to one report, that at least 8 people sustained various injuries ranging from minor to severe. All injured were transported to a nearby hospital to be treated for their injuries.
The road was closed to traffic until almost midnight while authorities and emergency workers worked on the scene.
Notably, iNews observed the absence of road markings in the vicinity of the accident. The incident occurred on a newly tarred section of the road at a crucial point with a blind spot hill, raising concerns about road safety in the area, especially at night.
iNews will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.