Twelve people were killed on the N12 last night when two taxis collided head on with each other.
Shortly after 20:00 paramedics from ER24 were called to the scene 20 kilometres outside of Klerksdorp on the Wolmaransstad road. Upon their arrival they found several people strewn across the highway. It is believed that majority of the occupants were flung from the taxi when it was ripped open during the collision.
Five children, ranging between one and six years, died on the scene. Seven adults were also declared dead. Eight people sustained multiple injuries and had to be rushed off to a nearby hospital for further medical management. Two of the injured is in a critical condition.
Paramedics on the scene explained that both drivers were killed in the incident. Bystanders explained that one of the taxis apparently overtook several vehicles before it collided head on with the other.
The road was closed for several hours while rescue workers and authorities attended the incident. The incident will be investigated.
Werner Vermaak | Communications Manager
ER24