The Eastern Cape Department of Transport, is urging motorists to remain extra vigilant on roads following the deaths of 18 people in three separate crashes in the province over the past seven days.
The latest incident claimed six lives when a truck carrying about 30 passengers overturned at Mcetheni Location in Bizana on Saturday morning.
Provincial Transport Spokesperson, Unathi Binqose, says passengers were travelling from Mswakazi in the Port St Johns area to attend a traditional ceremony when the driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle on a gravel road.
Binqose says several injured passengers were taken to Holy Cross Provincial Hospital in Flagstaff.
“Losing 18 lives from three separate EC crashes within seven days is deeply disheartening and of course six more families are now mourning the loss of their loved ones that has just occurred in Bizana. The MEC for Transport in the Eastern Cape, Mr Xolile Nqatha is extending his sincere word of condolences to the affected families and wishing those in hospital a speedy and a full recovery. A call is made on motorists in particular to remain extra at vigilant on our roads to stop this bloodbath.”