Three Fort Hare students remain critical after fatal N2 crash

Three University of Fort Hare students remain critically injured in a hospital after a tragic head-on collision on the N2 near Mount Ayliff in the Eastern Cape on Saturday. The incident claimed the lives of five of their classmates, leaving only two critically injured students in a critical condition. Two of the critically injured students were transferred to a hospital in Mthatha, while the third remains hospitalized due to their severe condition, and cannot be transferred for medical reasons. The other five students who survived the crash have been treated and discharged from the hospital.

The University of Fort Hare released a statement expressing their deep sorrow over the incident. The institution termed it one of the most devastating and deadliest road accidents involving university students in recent years. University spokesperson JP Roodt emphasized that the tragedy occurred as the students had just completed their academic year and were travelling home to Bizana for the summer holidays. This journey, which should have been filled with joy and anticipation, has tragically ended in unimaginable grief.

Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Mzukisi Njotini has instructed the university's acting executive director of student affairs to visit the bereaved families later in the week to offer condolences in person. The university will also provide support for the families of both the injured and deceased students. Roodt further assured that the Student Affairs Division is arranging trauma counselling and other necessary support for the surviving students and anyone else affected by the tragedy.

Provincial transport spokesperson Unathi Binqose revealed that the Toyota Quantum, which was travelling from Alice, is believed to have crossed into the path of a Mercedes-Benz truck that was en route from Kokstad to Mzamba. Driver fatigue is suspected to have contributed to the crash, but the exact cause is still under investigation by the police.

This is not the first deadly multi-vehicle accident on the Eastern Cape's N2 in a short span of time; just the day before, seven people, including a five-year-old boy, lost their lives in a collision near Ndabakazi. Another fatal accident occurred last month when a Toyota Quantum carrying 16 passengers collided with a truck on the R61 outside Aberdeen, with driver fatigue suspected as a cause.

A week prior to this incident, six individuals died when a truck carrying approximately 30 passengers to a traditional ceremony overturned near Bizana.