A four-year-old girl is among the nine people who lost their lives in a horrific bus accident on the N2 near Mandeni on Sunday.

Members of the Twelve Apostles Church in Nkobongo were travelling back home from Richards Bay when tragedy struck.

It is suspected that the 82-seater bus suffered a burst tyre, causing the driver to lose control. The bus left the highway and rolled down a steep embankment where it eventually came to rest.

Samantha Meyrick of IPSS Medical Rescue reported that at least 80 passengers were transported to various medical facilities, with injuries ranging from minor to critical.

She emphasised the importance of teamwork in handling mass casualty incidents and expressed gratitude to all emergency responders.

“A heartfelt thank you to the community – whether passing motorists or residents – who provided comfort to the injured and assisted,” said Meyrick.

“Among those who stepped in to help were three German tourists, including a doctor, who not only assisted at the scene but also accompanied a patient in an ambulance to the hospital.”

KwaZulu-Natal Transport and Human Settlements MEC, Siboniso Duma, extended his condolences and commended the rescue teams.

“This is a deeply difficult time for the Twelve Apostles Church in Trinity, KwaZulu-Natal, and South Africa as a whole,” said Duma.

“The department will be in contact with all affected families and church leadership starting today. We are committed to ensuring that the victims receive a dignified funeral.”

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