A Springs family is grappling with unbearable grief after a devastating accident involving a mortuary hearse turned their planned funeral into a double tragedy. The incident occurred on Thursday afternoon along Clydesdale Road in Springs, South Africa, claiming the lives of the hearse driver and a family member accompanying the deceased.
A Scene of Horror
Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) spokesperson Zweli Dlamini confirmed that officers arrived at the scene around 4 PM to find the mortuary vehicle engulfed in flames, with the driver trapped inside.
“The mortuary vehicle was completely burned, with the driver still inside. Another deceased person—a family member—was found outside near a fallen tree. Both were declared dead by paramedics,” Dlamini said.
A Cultural Ritual Turns Deadly
Investigations revealed that the tragedy unfolded after the hearse, transporting a body from the hospital, made a detour at the family’s request.
“It is alleged that the family asked the driver to pass by the place where their loved one had died—a cultural practice to ‘collect the spirit.’ Unfortunately, the driver lost control and crashed into a tree,” Dlamini explained.
The impact caused the vehicle to burst into flames, killing both the driver and the family member instantly.
Witnesses in Shock
A motorist who witnessed the aftermath, speaking anonymously, described the scene as heartbreaking.
“People watched in disbelief as the hearse burned with the driver inside. It’s devastating—this family was already mourning, and now they must bury two more loved ones,” the witness said.
Road Safety Under Scrutiny
The crash comes as South Africa’s Department of Transport intensifies its road safety campaign (March-May), targeting high-risk routes like the N4 Nelspruit and Mankweng (R71).
Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has urged drivers to exercise caution, but for this grieving family, the warning comes too late.
A Painful Reminder of Life’s Fragility
What began as a solemn journey to honor the dead has instead deepened a family’s sorrow, leaving a community in mourning.
Authorities continue to investigate the exact cause of the crash.
