Police reveal new details in N1 crash that killed 21 people

Police have revealed the sequence of events behind the N1 crash that killed 21 people in the Western Cape, as detectives investigate what caused the deadly collision.

Two Toyota Quantum minibus taxis collided head-on near Leeu-Gamka late on Sunday night before a Suzuki station wagon crashed into one of the taxis, according to Western Cape police.

The collision happened at about 23:30 on 13 September on the N1 between Prince Albert and Leeu-Gamka in the Central Karoo.

18 died at the scene

Western Cape police spokesperson Christopher Spies said officers arrived to find the three badly damaged vehicles.

Emergency teams confirmed 18 deaths at the scene.

Paramedics rushed several injured occupants to hospital. Three later died, taking the death toll to 21.

Another four people sustained serious injuries.

“Upon arrival, police found two Toyota minibus taxis which collided head-on and a Suzuki station wagon which collided with one of the taxis,” Spies said.

Police investigate cause of N1 crash

Leeu-Gamka police have opened a culpable homicide docket and are investigating the circumstances surrounding the collision.

Police have not yet determined what caused the two taxis to collide.

“The cause of the accident is yet to be established, and it forms part of the ongoing police investigation into the accident,” Spies said.

The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has also launched an investigation.

Authorities have not yet released the identities of those killed.

N1 closure continues

Officials kept the N1 closed while emergency personnel, forensic teams and traffic officers continued working at the crash site.

Western Cape Mobility spokesperson Muneera Allie urged motorists to avoid the affected section of the highway.

Drivers travelling through the area can divert via Prince Albert Road Station and the R407 towards the N12, before continuing towards Beaufort West.