The incident happened on Sunday (2/8) just before 19:00 near the Ferreira turn-off. Free State police spokesperson Lorraine Earle said this part of the N1 was closed for hours while the authorities were busy with the investigation.

“Two pedestrians, a woman, 46, and a man, 57, were fatally injured after they were struck by a vehicle and a truck while attempting to cross the N1.”

They were allegedly waiting for transport to Edenburg. “They attempted to cross the highway to reach a petrol station when the collision occurred,” said Earle.

EMS declared both pedestrians dead at the scene. “The drivers of the two vehicles involved sustained minor injuries.” The police investigation is still ongoing, and nobody has been arrested yet.

Previous reports indicate at least two other crashes have occurred near the Ferreira turn-off and bridge, raising questions about pedestrian and road safety in the area.

These include a bakkie rollover accident on 10 January on the Ferreira Bridge over the N1. The passengers were ejected from the vehicle onto the road below, resulting in two fatalities and multiple injuries.

Bakkie rollover accident. Photo: Arrive alive

On 14 December last year, a bakkie carrying passengers in the back overturned just past the Ferreira turn-off. All ten occupants were injured.

These incidents are among several crashes reported near this turn-off, raising concerns about road safety in the area. The series of crashes has raised questions about whether existing safety measures are sufficient to protect motorists and pedestrians using this section of the N1.

Free State department of community safety, roads and transport spokesperson Hillary Mophete said the location where the two pedestrian fatalities occurred, is not currently classified as a high pedestrian crash hotspot.

“This is the first reported fatal incident in that area, it has not yet been declared a hotspot. However, the department will include it in our monitoring during law enforcement deployments and road safety assessments to determine if further interventions are required,” she said.

Mophete said the department continues to urge both motorists and pedestrians to exercise caution, especially during peak hours and in areas without designated pedestrian crossings. Road safety is a shared responsibility.

OFM News/Siyakholwa Mbatyazwa sm

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