Five Dead in Horror N2 Crash Near Peddie

Five people have died following a devastating collision between a bakkie and a long-distance passenger bus on the N2 near Peddie on Monday morning.

According to the Eastern Cape Department of Transport, four occupants of the bakkie were declared dead at the scene when emergency services arrived shortly after the crash, which occurred at approximately 7:30am.

A fifth occupant later succumbed to injuries while receiving medical treatment at the scene, bringing the death toll to five.

All five victims were travelling in the bakkie and included three men and two women. A sixth occupant sustained critical injuries and was transported to hospital for urgent medical care.

The bus, which was travelling from the Eastern Cape to Cape Town, was carrying passengers at the time of the collision. The driver was treated for shock, while several passengers received medical attention for minor injuries and trauma.

Emergency services, traffic officials and law enforcement agencies responded to the scene, where rescue and recovery operations continued for several hours. The roadway has since been cleared and traffic flow has returned to normal.

Authorities have opened a culpable homicide case at South African Police Service as investigations into the cause of the crash continue.

The Eastern Cape Department of Transport extended its condolences to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives and wished the injured occupant a speedy recovery.