FLOWER FOUNTAIN – Three passengers were killed in a bus accident on the N1 south between Edenburg and Bloemfontein on Monday (December 22) at around 1.50am.
The passengers were among more than seventy passengers who were on the bus, with a trailer on board, when it overturned. The bus only had capacity for 70 people.
Several emergency services arrived on the scene. The three bodies, a man and two women, all over 30 years old, were taken to the mortuary in Bloemfontein.
All injured passengers were taken to nearby hospitals. Of these, 11 had moderate injuries and 60 had minor injuries. The passengers were taken to the following hospitals: 29 patients, including 5 pediatric patients, were taken to the National District Hospital in Bloemfontein; 31 patients were taken to Albert Nzula District Hospital in Trompsburg; nine patients were taken to the Pelonomi Trauma Unit in Bloemfontein; and two were taken to Botshabelo District Hospital.
Sipho Towa, chairman of the Road Incident Management Systems, said the road has now been reopened and is being managed by authorities. Emergency services and police are on site.
In another fatal accident early on Monday morning, five people were killed in a head-on collision on the R60 between Stockwell and Zolani near Ashton in the Western Cape.
According to Chief Traffic Management Director Maxine Bezuidenhout, two light motor vehicles were involved in the accident in which five people – one driver and four passengers – tragically died. According to Bezuidenhout, the emergency services arrived on site around 1 a.m. Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the collision.
“We extend our sincere condolences to the families and loved ones affected by this tragic incident. Motorists are urged to exercise extreme caution, especially during the early mornings, to avoid speeding, fatigue and risky driving,” she said.
Lientjie Mentz
novanews.co.za
