Hartswater police are investigating a case of culpable homicide after a bakkie which was fully loaded with passengers collided with a taxi. The incident happened yesterday (Saturday) between 15:00 and 16:00, on the N18 between Taung and Magogong. The emergency services personnel had to utilise the jaws of live to free a passenger who were trapped inside the taxi as a result of the impact of the vehicle collision.
Several passengers were lying in the road after being thrown out of a bakkie when it collided with the Taxi on the N18 and others landed into a nearby water canal. During our investigation on the accident scene 4 lifeless bodies were retrieved from the canal and other bodies were scattered on the road. Twelve people were certified dead on the accident scene and one died while being admitted at the hospital.
Twenty six occupants survived the accident with critical injuries and have been transported to Hartswater, Taung and Klerksdorp Hospitals to receive medical treatment.
The driver of the bakkie, a 59-year-old man have been arrested and charged with culpable homicide, he will appear before the Hartswater Magistrates’ Court tomorrow (Monday,29 September 2014).
The investigation continues.
[Death toll has since climbed to 15]