All four members of a family originally from Alberta were killed in South Africa this week when their vehicle was involved in a head-on crash.

Brendan and Melissa Perrott and their two children Evelyn, 5 and Colton, 3, died in the accident on Sunday, November 3. Five others also died including Sabelo Sibeko, a young man who was an orphan and grew up in the ministry and was travelling with the family. The accident occurred on a highway in neighbouring South Africa.

The Perrott's had been serving for the past two years as missionaries with Bulembu Ministries Swaziland in the African country of Eswatini (formerly Swaziland). They were originally from Sherwood Park, Alta., just outside of Edmonton.

They had done short terms missions work with Bulembu previously but a few years ago decided it was time to do more. Two years ago they moved to the country to do full-time missions work.

In a letter to supporters written on Boxing Day 2017, and just days before they moved, the Perrotts wrote about how their faith had grown as they prepared to move across the globe with a young family: "the amazing thing is that though it has been difficult, we have discovered a new freedom and confidence in the fact that we are children of the King and that is simply all we need."

Bulembu says in an online post that "Brendan, Melissa and their two children came to serve the people of eSwatini but especially the children of Bulembu. They followed the call of God and loved whole-heartedly and impacted so many people's lives. We mourn with their families back home in Canada and with their Swazi friends who have become family."

A statement from Global Affairs Canada offered condolences to the family and friends.

“Our deepest thoughts and sympathies are with the family and friends of the Canadian citizens who died in a tragic accident in South Africa,” the statement reads.

“Consular officials are in contact with the family in Canada and are providing consular assistance. Consular officials are in contact with local authorities to gather additional information.”