Three killed as vehicle overturns on R410 near Lady Frere

Three people died on Friday evening when a single vehicle overturned on the R410 Road at Dubeni location, near Cacadu (Lady Frere), in the Eastern Cape.

The crash occurred at approximately 18:25 after the driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle. Emergency services responded to the scene, where three occupants were declared dead.

According to preliminary information, the vehicle was carrying five occupants — two males and three females. The deceased include the driver, a male passenger and an adult female. All three died at the scene of the crash.

Two other occupants survived the incident but sustained critical injuries. They were stabilised by emergency personnel before being transported to Frontier Hospital for urgent medical treatment. Their current condition has not been disclosed.

The circumstances leading to the crash remain under investigation. Police have confirmed that an inquest docket for culpable homicide has been opened at Lady Frere Police Station to determine the exact cause of the incident.

At this stage, no further details regarding possible contributing factors have been released. Authorities have also not confirmed whether weather conditions, road conditions, or mechanical failure played any role in the crash.

The R410 is a key regional route linking several rural communities in the Chris Hani District and has previously been the site of serious accidents, particularly during evening hours. Motorists are urged to exercise caution, especially on rural roads where visibility can be limited after sunset.

Police have reiterated their call for drivers to adhere strictly to road safety regulations, including maintaining safe speeds, ensuring vehicles are roadworthy, and avoiding risky driving behaviour.

The names of the deceased have not yet been released, pending formal identification and notification of next of kin.