Limpopo: Nine people killed in bizarre “marine animal” crash

Police have opened a case of culpable homicide, after two cars collided in Hoedspruit, Limpopo on Saturday. Nine people were confirmed dead after the head-on smash, and amongst the tragedy, a perplexing “marine mystery” at the heart of the case will be subject to police investigation.

Police have opened a culpable homicide case after nine people were killed in a collision between a bakkie and a car on the R531 road in Hoedspruit, Limpopo yesterday. #sabcnews

— Radio 2000 (@Radio2000ZA) November 17, 2019

Limpopo crash: Marine life cargo sparks suspicion

Members of the Endangered Species Unit of the SAPS have been asked to probe the incident, after the bakkie involved in this crash shed its load of snake skins, starfish, and other “marine animals”.

Dried crabs and other “exotic” sea-dwellers. were part of the cargo, which has raised suspicion amongst investigating officers. We understand that, as well establishing the facts around this fatal crash, the police are keen to trace the origin of these aquatic animals.

#sapsLIM #SAPS Hoedspruit investigating a case of culpable homicide in which 9 people perished following a head-on collision on 16/11 at about 16:00 along the R531 road towards Swadini. MEhttps://t.co/fW17cVSjDD pic.twitter.com/COAnM9QQAp

— SA Police Service (@SAPoliceService) November 17, 2019

Hoedspruit crash – what we know so far

The accident was reported at 16:00 on Saturday afternoon. The two motor vehicles slammed into each other on a stretch of the R531 near Swadini. The death toll was initially reported as eight, but that sadly went up later in the day after one of the victims succumbed to their injuries in hospital.

“It is alleged that a Toyota bakkie 4×4 single cab travelling from Swadini direction collided head-on with a Toyota Avanza travelling from the direction of Hoespruit. During this collision, eight people died instantly, two were transported to hospital for medical treatment. One of them later succumbed to the injuries.”

“It is not yet established how many people were inside each vehicle and the process of identifying the deceased is still underway. The cause of the accident is still unknown but Police investigations are ongoing.”

SAPS statement