Working day ends in tragedy for employees

Rescue workers help an injured man onto a stretcher before transporting him to the Louis Trichardt Provincial Hospital on Tuesday afternoon. The man was involved in a tragic accident while on his way home with colleagues on Tuesday afternoon.

Working day ends in tragedy for employees

A normal working day ended in tragedy for five colleagues on Tuesday afternoon. All of them were driving along the Vondeling road outside Louis Trichardt in their company's small truck when the accident occurred. They are employed by LTT Palisade and were on their way back to the office to park the truck and head on home.

The cause of the accident is still being investigated, but it would seem that the driver lost control over the truck when the trailer it was hauling started to skid on the loose gravel. With this, the truck apparently started swivelling around dangerously. Because of this, the workers who had been sitting on the loading space on the back of the truck were flung from the truck.

One woman was declared dead on the scene shortly after the accident.

Her colleagues consoled each other while they were supported by the Soutpansberg Town Watch and local rescue workers. Their injuries varied from minor cuts and bruises to head injuries, and they were taken to the Louis Trichardt Memorial Hospital for further medical treatment.

Nico van der Westhuizen, owner of LTT Palisade, said he was saddened by the loss. On Wednesday, he was still assisting the family of the deceased woman. He could not confirm any further details as the police had yet to finish their investigation into the matter.

Police spokesperson for the Makhado Police Const Irene Radzilane confirmed on Wednesday that a case of culpable homicide is being investigated.

Nico van der Westhuizen consoles one of his employees. At the time of our going to press, the man's name could not be confirmed as funeral arrangements had yet to be made for his colleague who was killed in an accident on Tuesday afternoon.

Gazing in shock at the remains of his colleague, a fellow worker of the woman who was killed in a vehicle accident on Tuesday sat motionless next to the Vondeling road.

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Ockert de Lange from the Soutpansberg Town Watch assists one of the employees who sustained injuries during an accident late on Tuesday afternoon.

Date:31 August 2015

By: Isabel Venter

Isabel joined the Zoutpansberger and Limpopo Mirror in 2009 as a reporter. She holds a BA Degree in Communication Sciences from the University of South Africa. Her beat is mainly crime and court reporting.

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