SHOCK reverberated through Somerset East when the incredibly sad news reached town that five members of the Free Church of South Africa had died in an accident on Saturday, May 26.
The accident happened at the crossroads of the N10 from Cookhouse and the R63 from Bedford (Eastpoort), when a car with five passengers crashed into a large truck. The truck driver was taken to the Bedford hospital where he was treated for minor injuries.
The five people in the car were members of the Free Church of SA and were on their way back from a church meeting when the accident occurred.
The deceased were Rev M. Msheshwe, Sizwe “Nobhebe” Bangala (an elder), Themebekile Cecil Magabane, Ntombebhonga “Bongosi” Tito and Nompumelelo “Mpumi” Gantsho.
A memorial service honouring the deceased was held in the Youth Centre on May 30.
A spokesperson for the Cookhouse police could not supply more information about the accident but said the matter was being investigated.