By Zavela Makwabe
Twenty people lost their lives on Eastern Cape roads over the weekend as a result of heavy rains.
The fatalities include three minors, four drivers as well as seven pedestrians. The remaining six victims were adult passengers.
Authorities said the “ugliest” of the fatal crashes occurred on the East London-bound N2 road in Qonce near Breidbach, where the driver of an Isuzu double cab lost control and the vehicle overturned on Saturday afternoon.
Eastern Cape Department of Transport spokesperson Unathi Binqose said the Isuzu was reportedly carrying 23 boys who, at the time of the accident, had been travelling from Qonce heading towards East London.
“Three male passengers aged 17 and 16, died on the scene while 20, including the driver, sustained injuries,” Binqose said. The injured were taken to Grey Hospital.
On the R63 road out in Dimbaza towards Qonce near the Mdingi turnoff, a male pedestrian estimated to be around 39 years old was knocked down by a motor vehicle and declared dead on the scene.
On Friday on the R63 in Qonce towards Komga near the Peelton turnoff, an Isuzu overturned at about 9pm. A female passenger died on the scene.
On Saturday on the 9th and Balfour Fountain road in Gqeberha at 5.45pm a male pedestrian died in a hit-and-run accident.
On the R61 road at the Magusheni turnoff in Flagstaff near the Zibhorholo Forest towards Bizana at about 11.40pm, a male pedestrian was knocked down by a motor vehicle and was declared dead on the scene by the emergency services.
On the R65 road in Maclear, about 5km towards Mt Fletcher at around 8pm a male pedestrian was knocked down by a Toyota LDV. The victim was declared dead at the scene.
A male pedestrian was knocked down on the R61 road in Bizana near Mzamba at Biniza location on Sunday. He was declared dead on the scene.
At the Ziphunzana bypass near Duncan Village in East London, a male pedestrian was noticed by a passing motorist after what seemed to be a hit-and-run accident. The victim was declared dead.
In Mt Frere at Mvuzi and Mhlokwana location towards Matatiel, two vehicles travelling from opposite directions collided in a head-on swipe. A child was declared dead after the impact while five occupants from both vehicles sustained minor injuries.
Pictured above: A scene of accident
