Of the 17 people involved, 13 were taken to hospital by both ER24 and Metro ambulances - Jantjies and another male were in a critical condition. Jantjies died from his injuries later the same day.
This was but one of three horrific accidents in and near George on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Three people died and three more were injured in a collision at the foot of the Outeniqua Pass just before George on Saturday morning and on Sunday evening three people were hospitalized after the vehicle they were travelling in overturned in Pacaltsdorp.
Relating the events leading to the six car pile up on Friday, the driver of a Toyota Tazz explained that he had reduced speed when he was blinded by the rising sun. Information further suggests that the drivers behind the Tazz where equally blinded by the sun and drove into one another, one by one.
The Tazz was struck from behind by a Kia, which resulted in a chain reaction of Hilux, BMW SUV, Opel Monza and lastly a Hilux bakkie.
The driver of the fifth vehicle, an Opel Monza, said that the BMW driver in front of him had swerved to avoid the pile-up and drove into the safety barrier. He then took evasive action and struck the BMW from behind coming to a stand still on the shoulder of the road.
The Monza driver (who prefers to remain anonymous) climbed out of his car and assisted the uninjured BMW driver out of her passenger door, before rushing to check on the injured. Moments later, the Hilux bakkie drove straight into the side of the BMW causing the bakkie to career into the other Hilux, flipping it onto its side. The bakkie then hurtled across the inside line, the grassy island and both oncoming lanes to finally come to rest against the embankment on the opposite side of the N2.
A shaken eyewitness explained: "I was travelling from Wilderness and noticed a white bakkie crashed into the embankment, still steaming." According to her, some of the injured were stumbling around the N2 visibly in shock. "In the blink of an eye absolute carnage had occurred, leaving bleeding occupants scattered across both lanes of the road," said the witness.
Mark Green, manager: Traffic Services George Municipality, declined to comment about the cause of the accident. "I don't want to link the environmental factors to this specific accident until the investigation is completed."
However, he requested that motorists adapt to "the environmental conditions and road infrastructure as required". Green said that special emphasis needs to be placed in terms of speed adjustment as prescribed by the applicable speed limit on various roads. "Many drivers do not adjust their speed according to the various weather conditions, these conditions include rain, strong and/or crosswinds and even elements of nature like the sun during the morning and afternoon peak. Although the speed limit on a freeway/highway is 120km/h, some motorists make the mistake of exceeding or complying with the prescribed speed limit whilst the conditions on a specific day may require a reduced speed."
Captain Malcolm Pojie, South Cape Police spokesperson said that a case of culpable homicide had been opened. "Once the investigation has been completed we will hand the docket over to the state prosecutor, who will then decide whether anybody involved in the accident is culpable," concluded Pojie.
Although attempts were made to establish the medical condition of those admitted to hospital no comments were received at time of going to print.
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Carnage on the N2.
ARTICLE: FRAN KIRSTEN, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST
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