Four lives were claimed when the N2 highway took its toll with two horror crashes on Saturday (27 August).
Police are investigating two separate cases of culpable homicide after three men were killed in a reported head-on collision during the early hours of the morning and a 34-year-old driver was fatally injured when his heavy-duty truck overturned on Sir Lowry’s Pass.
The first incident occurred around 02:00 when two motor vehicles, a Toyota Avanza and Volkswagen Scirocco, collided head-on near the aria known as “Hoenders-en-eiers” just outside Grabouw.
While circumstances which led to the collision remain unclear, the lives of three young men, all believed to be in their 20s, were claimed in the tragedy. Two occupants of the multi-purpose vehicle, both from Strand, and a Grabouw youngster who was one of three occupants of the sport hatchback, reportedly died on impact. Two others including the driver of the Scirocco were hospitalised with serious injuries.
In the other incident, Gordon’s Bay police were called to the scene where a Volvo truck and trailer overturned near the foot of Sir Lowry’s Pass around 09:00. Other first responders included armed response officers from Gordon’s Bay Security (GBSec) and emergency personnel of the City of Cape Town’s Fire and Rescues Services, which dispatched 12 firefighters in a Hazmat and rescue vehicle from Strand and Sir Lowry’s Pass fire stations following an emergency call at 09:12.
“Upon arrival, firefighters found two trucks in collision on the roadway. One truck overturned with one person trapped underneath,” said Edward Bosch, spokesperson for the City’s fire and rescue services.
According to reports, the heavy duty transportation vehicle conveying a load of apples was travelling from Grabouw in the direction of Cape Town when the driver lost control of the vehicle near the horseshoe bend, hitting the rear-end of another truck before it tipped.
“One 34-year-old man was declared dead on the scene by medical personnel,” said provincial police spokesperson WO Joseph Swartbooi.
The incident resulted in major road closures throughout the day well into the night as the truck overturned in the middle of the busy arterial route.
Bosch said firefighting crews helped recover the adult male who sustained fatal injuries, restrict traffic flow for scene safety and isolate the fuel leakage on the roadway.
Jandré Bakker, spokesperson for the provincial department of transport and public works, said they responded to the incidents when it was activated by radio control at 02:16 and 09:00 respectively.
“Each entity has its roles and responsibilities. First priority is always to secure the scene and allow Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to perform their vital role. Provincial Traffic’s responsibility was to close the road and divert traffic, which was done,” said Bakker, who provided updates on the road closure which was posted on social media platforms throughout the day.
While the body of the deceased was removed and the spillage on the road surface cleared, the highway was still closed for traffic around 13:00 to allow for the vehicle to be recovered by breakdown services. Bakker confirmed that the scene was only cleared around 21:15 after the recovery vehicle jack-knifed.
“The number of road-related fatalities this week is in line with most weeks. While one can then argue that this week is not an anomaly, the department views every road-related injury and fatality in a serious light and as one incident or death too many,” said Bakker.
“Our teams operate a 24/7/365 service and it is disheartening when, despite their efforts, we lose a life on the road network.”
Bakker further regarded road safety as a team effort and called for locals to support road safety education initiatives including media campaigns, roadside activations and school initiatives which are prioritised as a full road safety management programme in the event of incidents. He also urged everyone to take personal responsibility and obey road rules and regulations.
