KEY POINTS
- Four people were killed in a horrific head-on collision involving two sedans and a bakkie on the N4 near Mbombela, with victims burnt beyond recognition.
- Authorities are investigating dangerous overtaking as a possible cause, while the community calls for improved road safety measures on the accident-prone N4 highway.
- Families of the deceased await identification through DNA testing as the Mpumalanga Transport Department pledges to enhance road safety initiatives to prevent future tragedies.
At least four people lost their lives in a devastating car crash on the N4 highway between Karino and Nelsville near Mbombela on Monday. The fatal head-on collision involved two sedans and a bakkie, leaving the victims burnt beyond recognition and the community in shock.
The incident has raised concerns about road safety on the busy N4 route, a critical artery connecting Mpumalanga to other provinces.
Mpumalanga Transport Department spokesperson Moeti Mmusi confirmed the tragic details, stating that the exact cause of the collision is still under investigation. “Two VW Polo sedans were travelling from Karino towards Nelsville when one of the two sedans first collided with a bakkie, and the other sedan crashed into the two vehicles that had already collided head-on,” Mmusi explained. The sequence of events suggests a catastrophic chain reaction, exacerbated by high speeds and potentially reckless driving.
“Four of the deceased were occupants of a sedan that initially collided with the bakkie. The driver of the bakkie sustained serious injuries while the driver of the other sedan escaped with slight injuries,” Mmusi added. The injured were rushed to nearby hospitals, with the bakkie driver reportedly in critical condition. Emergency services worked tirelessly to extricate the victims from the wreckage, but the intensity of the fire made identification of the deceased nearly impossible.
Community Calls for Improved Road Safety Measures Amid Rising Accident Rates
The crash has reignited calls for improved road safety measures on the N4, a route notorious for accidents due to its high traffic volume and frequent overtaking attempts. Local residents and road safety advocates have urged authorities to implement stricter enforcement of traffic laws, including speed limits and overtaking regulations. “This is not the first time we’ve seen such a tragedy on this road. Something needs to be done before more lives are lost,” said Thandiwe Nkosi, a community leader in Nelsville.
Mmusi emphasized that dangerous overtaking is a leading factor being considered in the investigation. “The investigation into the crash is already underway, although dangerous overtaking cannot be ruled out at this stage,” he noted. Preliminary findings suggest that one of the sedans may have attempted an unsafe overtaking maneuver, leading to the initial collision with the bakkie. However, authorities are also examining other potential factors, such as road conditions and vehicle mechanical failures.
The N4 highway is a vital economic corridor, but its safety record has been marred by numerous accidents over the years. In 2022 alone, Mpumalanga recorded over 1,200 road fatalities, with the N4 accounting for a significant portion of these incidents. The provincial government has pledged to address the issue, but progress has been slow, leaving many frustrated.
