A bus that was transporting Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) supporters to Ulundi overturned on Sunday morning at the Lakeside intersection. The bus was on its way from Katlehong in Gauteng to Ulundi for the IFP’s 50th Celebrations rally when the driver allegedly lost control of the vehicle.
The bus was travelling on the bypass and was about to turn right towards Ulundi at the intersection when the accident happened. Initial preliminary reports suggest that the brakes may have failed when approaching the intersection. The driver allegedly swerved to the right to avoid crashing into a vehicle that was in front of him. The bus bulldozed straight over the intersection and overturned.
Three people were critically injured and trapped under the bus. Another eight people were seriously injured. The KwaZulu Private Ambulance Services crew, together with AbaQulusi Fire & Rescue and towing services, managed to lift the bus and safely extricate those who were trapped. There were fortunately no fatalities; all the passengers were attended to and taken to various hospitals.
Expressing his gratefulness towards everyone involved, KwaZulu Private Ambulance Services area manager Frikkie Bekker said, “From my side – as a first responder, a team leader and an emergency services worker – thank you very much to my friends and colleagues. We did wonderfully; we flowed beautifully; we supported and complemented each other through all the movements; and we did very well. We cleared the scene quickly and we managed the patients very well. So I would like to thank everyone for that.”
Further investigations will determine the exact cause of the accident. The Vryheid Herald could unfortunately not get hold of the bus company for comment.

KZN MEC for Transport & Human Settlements Siboniso Duma said, “The latest preliminary report, which we received at 09:30 (on Sunday morning), indicates that the bus driver was speeding. We will have no mercy on him. We want to teach him a lesson for others to learn that Alufakwa KwaZulu-Natal – there is zero tolerance in KwaZulu-Natal.”

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The news provided to you in this link comes to you from the editorial staff of the Vryheid Herald, a sold newspaper distributed in the Vryheid area.