11 KILLED OVER EASTER ON WESTERN CAPE ROADS

Numbers are expected to grow

- GENEVIEVE SERRA

A TOURIST bus veering into a ditch leaving one person injured along Chapman's Peak and a police officer killed in a collision with a fuel tanker on the R27 are among the 159 transport related incidents traffic teams responded to over the Easter weekend in the Western Cape, which claimed the lives of 11 people.

The numbers are expected to grow as traffic and emergency personnel brace themselves for the rush back home today.

Western Cape Mobility MEC Isaac Sileku's spokesperson, Muneera Allie, said their data showed 11 fatalities, compared to 26 last year.

"Between 17 and 21 April, preliminary data for Western Cape indicated 10 fatal crashes and a total of 11 fatalities," she said.

"While we are encouraged by a decline when compared to Easter 2024 for the same period, one life lost is one too many.

"A peak travel period is expected today as travelers return. We urge all drivers to be cautious and patient if encountering a congested area. Together we can return safely home this Easter."

EMS teams responded to 6 189 incidents between Good Friday and Easter Monday, with 1 110 cases of non-cardiac related pain, 799 cases of respiratory complaints, and 548 assault-related injuries.