Update
KNYSNA NEWS - The Swellendam police have opened a case of culpable homicide for further investigation following an accident between Swellendam and Riviersonderend that claimed the lives of five occupants of a taxi that was en route to the Southern Cape at about 22:15 on 12 September 2017.
The Knysna-Plett Herald was notified of the accident the morning after it happened by a civilian and on Monday 18 September, the police responded with details.
Southern Cape police spokesperson Captain Malcolm Pojie said preliminary investigation reveals that the taxi collided with a stationary truck that had broken down in the middle of the road.
“The taxi hit the truck on its rear right side, whereafter the driver lost control. The taxi rolled onto its side and came to a halt in the adjacent piece of land,” explained Pojie.
He confirmed that five of the 12 occupants died on the scene, mostly due to multiple head injuries. The driver and the rest of the survivors were transported to the Swellendam hospital for medical treatment.
“The last of the deceased were identified by family members during the past weekend. The names of those who died were confirmed as Brandon Pretorius (27) from Calendar Street, Knysna, Nina-Ann Arendse (18) also from Casino Street, Knysna, Dorothy Morris (59) from Epping in Elsies River, Dorothia Fortuin (71) from Kraaifontein and MacArthur Ross (45) from Elsies River.
Investigation into this matter continues, said Pojie.
Read a previous article: Fatal accident claims 5 lives
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