Cable theft claims two lives
Two die at crime-hit eSikhaleni intersection
TRAFFIC lights should be installed this week at the eSikhaleni intersection of the John Ross Parkway – too late for two people killed there in an accident on Monday night.
One person in a light passenger van died on impact and the driver passed away while rescue workers were attempting to extricate him after they smashed into an Ikhwezi Transport bus at the dangerous crossing just before 9.30pm.
All indications are that the minibus, travelling from Richards Bay towards Empangeni, failed to see or heed the stop sign at the intersection.
It drove under the bus, which was already halfway across the road.
The names of the deceased were not known at the time of going to press.
One other person was seriously injured and two sustained lesser trauma.
Blame thieves
The delay in finding a permanent solution to the uncontrolled crossing has been the cause of much criticism, with many motorists simply failing to obey the stop signs and trucks barely slowing down.
Insufficient visible traffic control has also been criticised.
The installation of traffic lights had been scheduled for the end of August.
‘This is a most unfortunate accident and our deepest sympathy to the families of the deceased and the innocent passengers who have been injured,’ said Brian Henwood of Henwood & Nxumalo, lead consultants for the highway project.
‘We acknowledge that we are late with the completion of this intersection despite the contractor being well aware of the urgency of this work.
‘However, we must not lose sight of the bigger problem.
‘The lighting and signalisation of the intersection was completed a year ago but we are having to redo the work with additional security measures at a cost of R1,6-million due to the theft and vandalism that has occurred, and is continuing to occur.
‘What is of concern is that the criminals are very well equipped to do extensive damage in a matter of a few hours.
‘This could well happen again as it is happening at the other intersections along the John Ross Parkway on a regular basis.
‘The community need to be made aware of this problem and must be encouraged to assist the police services with the arrest of these criminals to avoid the occurrence of similar tragic road collisions,’ said Henwood.
As much as the road users are on the wrong for failing to comply with the road signs, that intersection to my view is what it is due to poor planning.