Candlelight ceremony held for family killed in R42 crash

VEREENIGING - A candlelight ceremony was held to honour the lives of six family members who tragically died in a road collision on Monday afternoon around 15:30. Their white Ford Focus collided with a truck on the R42 Meyerton-Heidelberg Road, claiming all lives on board. Rea Gazette reports, a wall of remembrance has since been set up by community members, displaying photos, candles, flowers, and teddy bears. The deceased were travelling back from KwaZulu-Natal, where they had attended a funeral. Family members say they last had contact with the occupants shortly before the incident. The news of the accident reached the family after a neighbour recognised the vehicle’s number plate at the scene. A memorial service is set for Friday, 18 July, followed by the funeral on Saturday, 19 July. Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash. The incident has drawn attention to ongoing concerns about road safety on the busy R42 route.