Bus crash that claimed three lives in Tongaat probed

An investigation is under way following a bus crash that claimed three lives in Tongaat on Tuesday morning.

Transport and Human Settlement MEC Siboniso Duma said authorities are probing the roadworthiness of the bus that plunged off the Tongaat River bridge.

ALSO READ: Tragedy in Tongaat: Bus plunges off bridge, claims 3 lives

The crash left at least 15 people injured, who were transported to various hospitals for further treatment.

“A total of nine patients were admitted to a local public hospital. The victims are receiving treatment under strict observation. They are in a critical but stable condition,” said Duma.

“Six other victims were taken to a local private hospital. One patient was attended to and discharged with minor scratches.

“[A man and a woman were] admitted to the intensive care unit, both critical. One is ventilated.

“Three others were admitted to the surgical ward with multiple fractures.

“We can confirm that the bus driver survived,” said the MEC.

He commended law enforcement agencies and emergency rescue teams who responded to the horrific accident.

“The search and rescue operation, which involved the removal of survivors and the bodies of the deceased from the wreckage, was executed efficiently,” said Duma.

The DA has, however, criticised the KZN Department of Transport (DoT) and eThekwini Metro for ‘failure to respond to repeated calls for traffic calming measures and bridge repairs’.

“For more than seven years, the DA has been warning officials in eThekwini and DoT KZN about the dangers of this stretch of road, and it’s appalling that officials have ignored these warnings.

“The bridge’s state of disrepair, with missing railings and lifting paving, also poses a serious risk to users. The fact that at least four vehicles have gone over the edge over the years for various reasons, resulting in fatalities, is a damning indictment of the department’s inaction,” said DA eThekwini exco member, Councillor Yogis Govender.

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