LIMPOPO – The Thulamela Municipality has advised motorists, communities, and learners from Thohoyandou Secondary School to use alternative routes after part of the overhead bridge, between a nearby filling station and the school collapsed on September 28.

The bridge, regularly used by learners, partially fell when a truck carrying an excavator collided with it.

The collapse resulted in damage to several vehicles traveling on the road below, as falling debris struck them.

Municipal spokesperson Nndwamato Tshiila confirmed that the truck, which was transporting an excavator, struck the right side of the bridge, leading to its partial collapse.

In response, Thulamela municipal traffic officers promptly closed the affected road and directed motorists traveling from Sibasa to use an alternative route via the road leading to the garage.

Tshiila noted that some drivers, however, ignored the road closures, further complicating the situation.

On September 30, Tshiila reported that another incident occurred when a bus collided with a vehicle near the area. He urged motorists to follow the road closure signs for their safety.

The municipality is working to repair the damage and restore the road and bridge for public use.

Eyewitnesses described the incident as a chaotic scene, with several vehicles, including a luxury vehicle, sustaining significant damage from the falling debris.

An eyewitness who was near the garage at the time of the collapse said they heard a loud bang before discovering that the truck had collided with the overhead bridge.