ROAD crash investigators from the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) are investigating the cause of a horror accident that claimed seven lives on Thursday morning.
The accident, involving an ambulance, happened on the N4 between Kuruman and Kathu.
According to the RTMC, the crash happened when the ambulance collided with a car.
“The occupants of the car had apparently stolen sheep and they panicked when they saw an approaching ambulance,” said the corporation in a statement.
The driver of the car, attempted to do an illegal U-turn on the road, resulting in the ambulance crashing into the vehicle.
Seven people, who were in the car, died on the scene and there were two injuries from the ambulance. Seven sheep carcasses were discovered inside the car.
A case of culpable homicide will be investigated by the South African Police in Kathu.
The RTMC will work with the police to determine all factors that may have contributed to the crash.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Dimakatso Mooi said the Kathu police are investigating a culpable homicide following the accident that claimed the lives of seven people.
“All the occupants aged between the ages of 22 and 48 were declared dead on the scene,” said Mooi.
Department of Health spokesperson, Lebogang Majaha, said there were no patients in the ambulance besides the paramedics.
“Our paramedics sustained injuries and are currently been treated for their injuries in hospital,” said Majaha.
