Mpuma crash death toll rises to 11

They died in hospital, bringing the death toll to 11, spokesman Joseph Mabuza said in a statement.

 

Earlier on Friday, Mabuza said two other people had died in hospital after sustaining serious injuries. Seven people died on the scene.

 

Another six people were injured when their minibus taxi overturned on the R40.

 

ER24 spokesman Russel Meiring said the taxi was found lying in the veld about 10m from the road.

 

Mabuza said the taxi was coming from Kabokweni and failed to stop at an intersection.

 

"It passed both lanes from White River and lanes from Nelspruit and hit a pavement."

 

It overturned, ejecting passengers and the driver.

 

Mabuza said 12 people were seriously injured when four cars collided at the same intersection on Thursday.

 

The department's MEC Vusi Shongwe said the accidents indicated motorists were not obeying road rules.

 

He said minibus drivers had to take responsibility for the lives of their passengers.

 

"Taxi owners must ensure that their drivers are properly trained and fit to be on the road. We can't lose so many lives due to recklessness of drivers."

 

Shongwe and the Mpumalanga legislature sent condolences to the families of those killed.

 

"As the Mpumalanga legislature we send our heartfelt condolences to the grieving families following another devastating accident in our province," speaker Thandi Shongwe said in a statement.

 

(File photo: Gallo images)