Zukile Majova in Mount Frere
A mother with a baby on her back lost their lives when a runaway truck crashed into a municipal waste removal truck in Mount Frere in the Eastern Cape on Thursday.
Several injured people including the drivers of both trucks were taken by ambulance to the local King Madzikane kaZulu Hospital.
The truck lost its brakes as it entered the small overcrowded town, hitting cars parked on the side of the main street.
Fruit and vegetables hawkers in front of “Eat Some Meat” butchery escaped with their lives, but lost their wares and their makeshift stands under the truck’s wheels.
But the most painful sight was the lifeless body of a mother and child trapped under the trucks for over an hour while authorities used the jaws of life to cut through the wreckage.
Ntembiso Sisulu who saw the runaway truck told Scrolla.Africa the horse and trailer ploughed into five cars and everything in its path.
“As I am talking to you, I am looking at this shocking sight of a mother and her baby who are just lying there.
“She had nowhere to run as the big truck was approaching. People were screaming and running for their lives.
“The two trucks collided head-on killing them instantly.”
This is now the third runaway truck to kill people and damage property in this town, affectionately known as KwaBhaca.
Umzimvubu Local Municipality issued a traffic alert advising motorists using the N2 to use the Umtata Bypass when they have no need to go through the town.
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