The truck where in scores of farmworkers were travelling.
Supplied/Rural and Farmworkers Development Organis
Three farmworkers were killed and 70 others injured when an Isuzu truck they were travelling in overturned in Occultdale Road, near Philadelphia in the Western Cape, on Tuesday morning.
Western Cape police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Malcolm Pojie said Philadelphia police registered a culpable homicide docket for further investigation.
“Preliminary investigation suggests that the driver of a truck lost control on the Occultdale Road near Philadelphia as he was transporting seasonal workers from Wellington to Philadelphia at about 07:00 on Tuesday,” Pojie said.
“The truck overturned during which three people succumbed to injury and a total of 58 passengers were transported to various hospitals in the region to receive medical treatment. Two of the injured were in a serious condition and were airlifted,” said Pojie.
Police said the rest of the victims were treated on site.
“Investigation into this matter is ongoing,” he added.
Three farmworkers have died after the truck they were travelling in overturned.
Agriculture MEC Ivan Meyer called on farmers and producers transporting workers to ensure the safety of vehicles and the transportation of their workers.
“Agri workers are the key to the agri sector in the Western Cape. I am also calling for a full investigation into the circumstances that led to the death and injury of these farmworkers,” said Meyer.
The back of the truck where the farmworkers were seated before the deadly accident occurred.
The MEC expressed his condolences to the families and friends of the workers.
Western Cape mobility department spokesperson Muneera Allie said various stakeholders were still on scene after the accident.
The road between Adderley Road and the R304 remains closed.