A preliminary report revealed that the bus plunged off the more than 50 m bridge in Maidstone Road.
At least three people have been killed and twelve others injured after a fully-laden bus plunged over a bridge in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).
The bus accident happened on the R102 near Maidstone Sugar Mill in the Tongaat area on Tuesday morning.
A preliminary report revealed that the bus plunged off the more than 50 m bridge in Maidstone Road.
Bus crash
IPSS Medical Rescue spokesperson Kelsey-Jae Merick said emergency workers are still at the bus crash scene, and the R102 has been closed to traffic.
“Reports from the scene so far indicate that at least three people are deceased and twelve have sustained serious injuries in the bus accident.
“The scene is still active and we urge motorists to use alternate routes as the R102 in that area is currently closed,” Meyrick said.
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Condolences
KZN MEC for Transport and Human Settlements Siboniso Armstrong Duma’s spokesperson, Ndabezinhle Sibiya, said the department was saddened by the bus accident.
“We express our deepest condolences to the families of the victims of the bus crash. Equally, we wish those who are injured a speedy recovery. In our interaction with traffic anchor Ayanda Msweli, most roads in the area have been affected, especially around Gopalall Hurbans Road.
“We urge motorists to be patient as the scene is still active. Saving the injured, and recovery processes are underway,” Sibiya said.
Durban crash
Meanwhile, three people have been injured in an accident on the M4 near the Virginia off-ramp, North of Durban.
ALS Paramedics spokesperson Garrith Jamieson said the accident happened just before 7 am on Tuesday morning.
Jamieson said paramedics arrived on the scene to find “carnage” as they found two badly-damaged vehicles obstructing both sides of the highway.
“Three occupants from both vehicles had sustained critical injuries, and immediately, Advanced Life Support Paramedics worked to stabilise them on the scene. Due to the severity of one of the injuries, the Air Mercy Aeromedical Helicopter was called to assist in rapidly transporting the patient to the hospital.
“The highway was closed whilst emergency personnel worked to clear the scene. Two patients were transported by ALS Paramedics to hospital for further care that they required,” Jamieson said.
Jamieson added that the events leading up to the crash is unknown, however police were on scene and will be investigating further.
Eastern Cape crash
On Sunday, two people died and four others sustained injuries in a crash involving two vehicles: a Corsa bakkie, a Mahindra XUV, and a motorbike.
The accident occurred on the N2 just outside East London towards Kei Bridge.
Eastern Cape provincial transport spokesperson Unathi Binqose said the cause of the accident is being investigated.
“It is not yet clear how the accident occurred, but the bakkie caught fire after the impact and the passenger died on impact along with the biker,” Binqose said.
“The driver of the bakkie and three occupants of the XUV sustained serious injuries and were rushed to the hospital in East London.
“It is believed that the Corsa bakkie, which was carrying a motorbike on its back, and the deceased biker were travelling together,” he said.
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