Provincial authorities confirmed a bus accident on the N1 north has left at least 11 people dead.
The Free State Department of Health has confirmed a devastating bus accident on the N1 north in the province. Picture: X/@_ArriveAlive
A devastating bus accident on the N1 north in the Free State has left at least 12 people, including five children, dead and dozens injured.
The accident occurred north of Trompsburg late Thursday night.
The bus overturned shortly after 9:30pm, about 24km north of Trompsburg in the direction of Edenburg.
Accident
The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC)’s spokesperson, Simon Zwane, said more than 60 passengers have been injured.
“Emergency services responded swiftly to the scene where 66 passengers were injured and taken to various medical facilities. The RTMC’s crash investigation team has been deployed to determine the cause of the crash.”
Grim picture
Earlier, the Free State health department’s spokesperson Mondli Mvambi shared details of the accident.
Mvambi said the vehicle was lying across the N1, completely obstructing the roadway, adding that emergency medical services and law enforcement rushed to the scene, where a grim picture emerged.
“Initial reports indicate 14 injured persons outside the bus, while one child’s hand remained trapped under the vehicle.”
Warning
Triage and extrication operations were ongoing as rescue teams worked through the wreckage. Law enforcement officers were managing traffic and assisting emergency crews.
Motorists travelling between Trompsburg and Edenburg have been urged to exercise extreme caution, reduce speed, and expect significant delays.
Traffic officials are diverting vehicles where possible, and road users are advised to seek alternative routes.
Condolences
Mvambi extended condolences to the bereaved families and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
“We mourn with those who have lost loved ones and assure the public that updates will be provided as more information becomes available,” he said.
Scholar transport accident
Earlier this week, nineteen primary school pupils were injured when an overloaded scholar transport vehicle collided with a hatchback in Ekurhuleni.
The accident occurred on the M7 in Tsietsi, just outside Katlehong, early Wednesday morning, prompting a major emergency response and temporary closure of the busy route.
Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS) spokesperson William Ntladi said fire and rescue officers received a call at 6:55am about a scholar transporter involved in a crash and immediately responded to intervene.
Ntladi added that all occupants of both vehicles were medically treated on scene by paramedics before being transported to the nearest medical facilities in Ekurhuleni.
