MBOMBELA – A horrific minibus accident occurred this morning near the Glenwood turn-off on the R40 towards Barberton. Three people died and 11 others sustained serious injuries.
The injured were taken to Rob Ferreira Hospital and Mediclinic Nelspruit respectively, and four are currently in critical condition.
A Toyota minibus taxi overturned after its rear shaft allegedly broke, causing the right rear wheel to fall off.
The taxi driver then lost control of the vehicle before it veered off the road and overturned, coming to a standstill on its wheels.
The driver apparently fled the scene.
Debris laid scattered over a wide area while paramedics of Mpumalanga Emergency Medical Services, Netcare 911, ER24, Maponya 911, Lifemed and Hi-Tech Medical Services, treated 14 people on the scene.
Mbombela Fire & Rescue and Working on Fire had to use the Jaws of Life to free the passengers in the taxi. SAPS, the Mbombela Traffic Department as well as SAPS Special Crime Scene Investigations unit also attended to the scene. The MEC for safety, security and liaison, Mr Vusi Shongwe, also arrived and said that an investigation into the cause of the incident would be conducted. “We still need to determine what caused the vehicle’s rear shaft to break off before we can confirm what caused this terrible accident.” Shongwe also sent his condolences to the families of the victims and urged motorists to stick to the speed limit. “We are terribly sorry for those affected by this accident. We must submit everything to God,” Shongwe said.
