KNYSNA NEWSFLASH - Swellendam SAPS has opened a case of culpable homicide for further investigation following, “the horrific accident between Swellendam and Riviersonderent 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, September 18, the police responded with details.
Spokesperson for the police in the Southern Cape, Captain Malcolm Pojie said preliminary investigation reveals that the taxi they travelled with collided with a stationary truck which broke 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 on its side and came to a halt in the adjacent piece of land,” explained Pojie.
He confirmed five of the twelve occupants of the taxi died on the scene, mostly due to multiple head injuries sustained.
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 was confirmed as Brendon Pretorius (27) from Calendar Street, Knysna, Nina-Ann Arendse (18) also from Casino Street, Knysna, Dorothy Morris (59) from Epping Elsies River, Dorothia Fortuin (71) from Kraaifontein and MacArthur Ross (45) from Elsies River.
Investigation into this matter continues said Pojie.
Read more in Thursday's Knysna-Plett Herald, as well as online.
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