Two people were killed when a VW Polo allegedly disregarded a stop sign and collided with an articulated truck at the notorious 50/50 crossing between Kinross and Kriel on Wednesday afternoon, 11 October 2023.
According to eyewitnesses, the tragic incident occurred when the VW Polo, for reasons yet unknown, failed to come to a halt at the designated stop street, leading to a catastrophic collision with an oncoming truck.
The impact of the collision propelled both vehicles several metres down the road, causing the heavy truck to overturn.
The collision was so devastating that the car was torn into pieces, with the majority of the wreckage becoming trapped beneath the overturned truck, making rescue efforts even more challenging.
Tragically, two occupants of the VW Polo lost their lives in this horrific accident.
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The victims’ identities have not yet been released pending notification of their families.
Emergency response teams, including paramedics and law enforcement, rushed to the scene of the accident to provide immediate assistance and manage the chaotic aftermath.
The injured were swiftly transported to nearby medical facilities for treatment, while the grim task of extricating the wreckage and recovering the victims’ remains began.
The accident has ignited discussions about the need for enhanced safety measures and traffic enforcement at the perilous 50/50 crossing, which has been the site of several accidents for a long time.
Local authorities are expected to review the circumstances surrounding this latest tragedy to determine if further safety measures are needed.
As the investigation into the incident unfolds, our thoughts are with the families of the victims, and the entire community is left to grapple with the devastating consequences of a momentary lapse in attention on the road.
