‘I saw it coming straight at me’: Taxi crash witness still shaken

A Hammarsdale motorist narrowly escaped being hit by a minibus taxi moments before it veered off Georgedale Road and crashed into a tree, killing 10 people.

The witness, who asked not to be named, was driving home from work on Wednesday evening when she saw the taxi travelling in the opposite direction near Hibiscus Hospital. She said she first noticed the taxi losing control as it approached a bend before it suddenly crossed into her lane.

We were driving in opposite directions and first noticed it losing control on a small bend.

“I then saw it coming straight towards me and I quickly accelerated to prevent it from running into me. I swerved towards the taxi’s lane and back into my lane,” she said.

Moments later, she said she heard a loud bang. Still shaken by what she had witnessed, she and the people travelling with her decided to turn back to see what had happened and whether they could assist.“That is when we saw the scene, everyone lying on the ground and the driver outside the vehicle,” she said.

The crash happened on Georgedale Road, between Georgedale and Cato Ridge. The minibus taxi was reportedly travelling towards Cato Ridge carrying people who were on their way to work.

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Ten people died in the crash, while five others sustained serious injuries and were taken to R.K. Khan and Hibiscus hospitals. The deaths have left families devastated, with Transport and Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma saying some of the victims were breadwinners.

“Families who have lost breadwinners are devastated, but the fact that their loved ones died while travelling to work … adds a profound layer to the tragedy,” Duma said.

Duma said police were investigating allegations that the taxi driver had consumed alcohol before the crash. “Under normal circumstances, we always avoid finger-pointing, but it would be irresponsible not to investigate allegations that the private minibus taxi driver had consumed alcohol before the accident,” he said.

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There were also reports that the driver tried to avoid pedestrians before losing control and crashing into a tree.

The Road Traffic Inspectorate, Durban Metro Police, SAPS and Road Traffic Management Corporation are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash.

Duma said his department was provoding support to the bereaved families, including assisting with funeral arrangements and co-ordinating support from the Road Accident Fund.

A memorial service for the victims is expected to be held next week.