The death of a policeman in a horrific accident, which took place while he was attending to a traffic accident scene, has sent shockwaves through the Kroonstad community.
Sgt Ishmael Morake (37) of the Kroonstad Highway Patrol was on duty on 17 April at about 18:15, attending to the aftermath of a traffic accident on the N1 road, when a truck plowed through the scene and killed Morake and a woman who had been involved in the initial accident.
The traffic accident had taken place about 15 km towards Kroonstad from Ventersburg on the N1, and highway patrol members attended to the scene. A bakkie and a truck were involved, with no injuries.
Due to debris on the road, highway patrol members assisted in regulating the traffic when a truck plowed through the accident scene, hitting Morake and a 34-year-old female who had been a passenger in the bakkie.
Emergency personnel was called and both Morake and the woman were declared dead on the scene.
The Kroonstad police are investigating two cases of culpable homicide, and no one has been arrested yet.
“Today we woke up to the sad news of the passing of one of our members. I want to express my deepest condolences to the loved ones, friends, family and colleagues of Sgt Morake, as well as to those of the innocent member of the public who tragically died,” says Lt Gen. Baile Motswenyane, provincial commissioner of the police in the Free State.
