Several injuries and one death have been reported following the accident between a Free State ambulance patient transport and a car on Thursday morning (4/9). The emergency services were alerted around 8:15 am.
Upon arrival, responders discovered that a patient transport vehicle transporting patients from Ficksburg had collided with a light motor vehicle.
“Preliminary information indicates that the driver of the light motor vehicle lost control after experiencing a tire blowout, which led to the crash,” Free State EMS acting manager Sidney Dywili said.
“A total of two patients were trapped and the Mangaung Fire and Rescue Team carried out the extrication using the jaws of life. One patient was unfortunately pronounced dead at the scene.”
Patients were transported to the Pelonomi Trauma Unit and to the National District Hospital in Bloemfontein for medical treatment. Law enforcement agencies were still on the scene around noon investigating, he said.
Traffic flow is disrupted; one westbound lane is closed to vehicles. Road users traveling along the N8 are advised to approach the area with caution and expect delays.
The incident comes at a time when transport authorities have just stepped up road safety efforts ahead of the busy Easter travel period.
The provincial government recently launched its Easter 2026 road safety campaign in Botshabelo, aimed at reducing road fatalities through increased law enforcement and public awareness.
Officials say cooperation between traffic authorities and law enforcement agencies will be crucial to ensure safer roads during this period.
The N8 between Bloemfontein and Botshabelo is known for its fatal accidents; The recent accident involved a police bakkie and a security company bakkie in March.
A total of eight people were injured in the head-on collision, including two police officers and six people from a security company.
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