Six killed in Eastern Cape accident

Six people were killed and three were injured when a Ford Bantam lost control on the R102 in the Eastern Cape on Sunday afternoon, the health department said.

Eastern Cape health spokesperson Siyanda Manana said the accident happened at the Thornhill intersection towards Gamtoos around 15:30.

All nine were in the same vehicle, he said.

Two injured patients were transported to Livingstone Hospital, while a third was taken to the Humansdorp Hospital.

The cause of the accident is unknown.

Meanwhile, Transport Minister Dipuo Peters is expected to release statistics on road fatalities since December 1.

More than 1 000 people are known to have died on the country's roads.

She also said the number of young people who were victims of the road carnage was worrying.