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4 KILLED AS TRUCK CRASHES INTO SHOP

By PHEPHILE MOTAU & STARSKY MKHONTA | 2024-05-09

Four people were killed and six others, who were in a critical condition, were rushed to hospital when a tipper truck crashed into a grocery shop after the driver lost control of it.

The truck crashed into KaMkhombe Grocery Store at Eskweni, killing a woman who was carrying a baby on her back, and two other children, a boy and girl.

Among those who were rushed to hospital was the shop attendant together with her child, according to eyewitnesses. The accident occurred just before the T-junction to Nhlangano at around 4pm and the shop was extensively damaged while the truck was also badly damaged.

According to an eyewitness, the truck which was carrying sand, was travelling from Hlatikulu on its way to Nhlangano.

The eyewitness, who identified himself as Msibi, said he was on his way to the shop when the accident occurred, and suspected that the driver may have lost control of the truck after its brake system failed.

Msibi said the driver tried to control the truck but was unsuccessful as it veered off the road, narrowly missing a vehicle and kombi before it went on to crash into the shop.
He said the truck veered off the road when the driver tried to avoid the car.

“He swung the steering hard as he tried to avoid hitting the car, but could not control it thereafter as it crashed into the shop and landed on its side. There were many people in and outside the shop.

Children also frequent the shop just to hang around and play games such as cards,” said Msibi as he explained the number of casualties.

After the incident, he said a number of people were buried in rubble after the shop’s wall collapsed while others were trapped under the truck.
He said he doubts that the people at shop saw the truck coming as the incident happened fast.

“There were other people within the vicinity and we rushed to assist those we could reach. However, some people were under the rubble and truck and could not be assisted,” said Msibi.

As they tried assisting and retrieving those who were trapped under the rubble, he said others called emergency services and fire-fighters were among the first to respond.

Msibi further stated that they, working with the police who were also quick to attend the scene, the fire and emergency rescue team were able to remove those who were under the truck and buried in the rubble.

Msibi and other people who were at the scene said they counted six people who were rushed to the Hlatikulu Government Hospital in a critical condition while others escaped with minor injuries but trauma was written on their faces.

Due to the impact, some of the people who were killed could not be immediately identified as their faces were disfigured from the accident.

“One of the boys was trapped under a wheel,” narrated the eyewitness as he detailed how others were screaming and some exclaiming that they were lucky to be alive.

He said the situation at the scene was sombre as the victims were pulled out of the rubble.
Eyewitnesses also stated that it was even more emotional when a man arrived at the scene saying he was looking for his children as they frequented the shop and were not at home when the accident happened.

The man was said to have just returned from work when he learnt of the accident and when he could not find his children at home, he rushed to the scene searching for them.

According to eyewitnesses, he was seen crying and calling out for his children but at the time it was not determined whether they were among those who died or those rushed to hospital.

“When we left, he was being consoled by other people at the scene. It was not established whether the woman was with the children who were killed or whether it was her baby she was carrying or she was just an employee,” they further stated.

At about 7pm last night, the police and other emergency services were still working at the accident scene.

They said it was the first time they witnessed such an accident in the area. Deputy Police Information and Communications Officer Assistant Superintendent, Nosipho Mnguni, confirmed the matter.

She said by 7.30pm last night, four people were confirmed dead, being a woman and three children.

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