UPDATE: 9 die in separate road crashes within 12 hours in the EC
In one of the accidents, six people died after they were knocked down by a speeding white BMW Sedan on the R61 Road in Mbizana towards Port Edward on Friday night.
Picture: Chris Rowe/Flickr
CAPE TOWN - The death toll due to accidents in the Eastern Cape in the last 12 hours has risen to 9.
Three more people, including a police detective, died in a car crash involving five vehicles on the N2 near Kei Cuttings towards Butterworth.
According to the provincial Department of Transport, an unmarked Police bakkie attempted to overtake a sedan when the collision took place, with three more vehicles including a fully loaded minibus taxi.
This accident follows the death of six people after they were knocked down by a speeding White BMW Sedan on the R61 Road in Mbizana towards Port Edward on Friday night.
Police have since launched a manhunt after the driver abandoned his vehicle and fled the scene.
Department spokesperson Unathi Binqose said the cause of the accident has not yet been established.
"This is possibly by far the worst crash involving pedestrians ever recorded in this province, where six pedestrians have died from one crash.
“The MEC for Transport in the Eastern Cape is extending his sincere condolences to the families of the deceased and is calling on road users, motorists in particular, to be extra vigilant."
In the multi-vehicle crash, he said the passengers in the minibus taxi escaped without any injuries.
"The injured were rushed to a hospital in Butterworth. The MEC for Transport in the Eastern Cape Mr Xolile Nqatha is extending his sincere words of condolences to the families of the deceased when wishing those in hospital a speedy and full recovery. It’s also disturbing that this is the second accident."