A collision between a heavy-duty truck and a taxi on the R28 in Westonaria claimed nineteen lives on Sunday.
Image: ER24.
Nineteen people died when a taxi they were travelling in collided with a truck on the R28 in Westonaria, Gauteng on Sunday afternoon.
According to preliminary reports, the collision occurred after a tyre of the taxi burst, resulting in the driver losing control and crashing into the oncoming truck. Upon impact, the taxi rolled multiple times, ejected all the passengers and burst into flames.
Gauteng police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Lungelo Dlamini said five children and 14 adults died. Five people survived and were rushed to hospital. Two of them had serious injuries while three had minor injuries.
The truck driver sustained minor injuries.
The bodies of the deceased were taken to Carletonville mortuary.
It is believed that the taxi (a Toyota Quantum) was overloaded as it had 24 passengers despite being certified to carry only 16.
The investigation into the cause of the accident continues.
