KARINO – A cash-in-transit vehicle, the bonnet of which had apparently flown open, collided with an oncoming bus carrying commuters on the road to Panamanian early this morning. Three people, including a pupil were killed, and 113 suffered injuries.
Spokesman for the Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Mr Joseph Mabuza, attributed the cause of the accident to the CIT vehicle. Lowvelder took photos of the bonnet which was being held together with a piece of wire.
The vehicle – belonging to SBV Security – was impounded, together with another vehicle which had been sent from the company after the accident to retrieve the cash. Traffic officials on the scene confiscated them when they found both to be unroadworthy.
Paramedics at the scene stated they had been informed of the accident at about 06:30. Netcare 911 spokesman Ms Santi Steinman said 113 passengers were treated on the scene in just over an hour and attributed this swift reaction to phenomenal cooperation between all the paramedics and rescue workers involved.
They were taken to Rob Ferreira Hospital and Mediclinic Nelspruit. Themba Hospital was closer, but couldn’t accommodate any of the patients since it has no water.
Mpumalanga Emergency Medical Services helicopter airlifted one of the injured patients. Ms Robyn Baard, spokesman for Mediclinic Nelspruit, said 20 patients had been admitted there. “One of them has already gone to theatre for plastic surgery,” she said.
Mabuza said the cash-in-transit vehicle was driving towards KaNyamazane and the bus towards Mbombela when the bonnet flew open, causing the driver to veer into the bus. An eyewitness said he saw one passenger being flung completely out of the bus.
“We are disturbed as a department by accidents such like this, which clearly could have been avoided. It was clear what caused this accident – as the security vehicle’s bonnet had been tied with wire. Both vehicles here will be discontinued and we are still doing a thorough investigation into this accident.”
Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport spokesman Mr David Nkambule, was also on the scene. He said his department sent their condolences to the families who had lost a loved one and a speedy recovery to those that had been injured.“We will assist police as much as possible to determine who was on the wrong side of the law today.”
Mbombela Municipality spokesman Mr Joseph Ngala and the mayor Cllr Sibusiso Mathonsi both sent their condolences to the bereaved families. “Three lives lost are three lives too many,” said Mathonsi.
He also confirmed that he would be visiting the families affected by the incident. “We will support them wherever possible.”
SBV security executive Ms Flavia da Silva said their company was aware of the accident but had to follow procedure at this time. She said they couldnt comment until they had all the facts.
See photos from the scene here.
See photos of various officials’ visit to Rob Ferreira hospital here.
