Six killed as SUV, truck collide

Six more people have died on Eastern Cape roads since the start of the festive season.

On Wednesday night, an SUV collided with an articulated truck between Middelburg and Cradock.

Six people were killed and two taken to hospital with serious injuries.

The latest accident occurred just more than a week after transport, safety and liaison MEC Weziwe Tikana-Gxothiwe launched the festive Arrive Alive campaign alongside Eastern Cape premier Oscar Mabuyane.

Transport department spokesperson Unathi Binqose said the accident occurred on the N10.

“An SUV with seven occupants collided with an articulated truck towing two trailers.

“Only the driver was in the truck,” Binqose said. Three males and three females in the SUV died, including the driver. One adult male passenger sustained critical injuries, as did the truck driver.

The two survivors were taken to Cradock provincial hospital for further medical assistance.

A case of culpable homicide had been opened with Middelburg police for further investigations, he said.

This brings the number of deaths on Eastern Cape roads since the start of December to at least 76.