June 25 of 2012 will always be remembered as the sad day when 19 people died and 55 were injured in a bus accident on the bridge at the R59 Verwoerd off-ramp ( now Pierneef) in Meyerton.

Midvaal Fire and Rescue with ER24, Netcare 911, Sedibeng Emergency Services and Vaal Emergency Care worked around the clock in icy water to free the trapped patients and to take them to hospital.

On June 29 the next year, the sense of sadness and grief still hung heavily in the air when the Midvaal Local Municipality hosted a memorial service to honour those who passed away in this tragic accident.

The families of the deceased gathered at the site of the accident to pray and perform a cleansing ritual early on the Saturday morning.

Many children clutched photographs of parents who were lost in the accident, and families exchanged stories of what the person they lost, had meant to them.

After the cleansing ceremony, the families gathered in the Meyerton Town Hall, where a plaque inscribed with the names of the nineteen deceased, was unveiled.

Midvaal Mayor at the time, Cllr Timothy Nast, said that the plaque was prominently placed in the foyer of the hall so that all who enter the hall, would be reminded of the tragic accident and the pain it caused to so many families.

He also thanked the municipal staff and many community members and organisations who assisted on the day of the accident and with providing subsequent support to the families.

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