VANDERBIJLPARK – The horrific early morning crash involving a Greyhound bus and a Toyota Quantum earlier this week has left three people dead and 47 others injured.

The devastating accident occurred at around 05:50 on July 1 at the intersection of Barrage Road (R42) and Louis Trichard Boulevard.

According to Sedibeng Cluster Police spokesperson Sergeant Thembeka Maxambela, preliminary investigations suggest that the driver of the white Toyota Quantum allegedly failed to stop at a red traffic light before colliding head-on with the Greyhound bus, which was pulling a trailer.

“The bus driver subsequently lost control, causing the bus to mount the sidewalk and overturn,” said Maxambela.

The crash claimed the lives of three people, including the driver of the Toyota Quantum and two passengers travelling on the Greyhound bus.

In total, 47 passengers on the bus sustained injuries ranging from minor to serious and were rushed to various hospitals and medical facilities across the region.

Police recovered a licensed Taurus G3 9mm firearm belonging to the deceased Toyota Quantum driver at the scene.

The firearm has since been booked in at Vanderbijlpark SAPS for safekeeping and further investigation.