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Tragic bus accident in Bloemfontein in the Free State, kills six
Six people, including two infants, a teenager and three adults sadly died early Sunday morning, 1 November 2020, in an accident involving an Eagle Bus Liner bus and a light motor vehicle, a Toyota Conquest, in Bloemfontein in the Free State. The Provincial Emergency Medical Service’s Sipho Towa says the collision took place at the Dewetsdorp and Reddersburg crossing on the N6. The bus reportedly drove over the car that allegedly failed to stop at a stop sign and dragged it along for another 150m. “At about 01h01 this morning, Free State Government EMS responded to a bus and car accident. All injured and deceased were from the car, and patients were transported to the Pelonomi Trauma Unit.” Towa said. Braam van Zyl, divisional officer at Mangaung Fire and Rescue Service reported that they responded with one fire engine with a crew of four and that Free State Provincial Ambulance Service, ER24, Life Rosepark, Africa Trauma, South African Police Service (SAPS) and Provincial Traffic were also on scene. “The incident was reported at 00h39 and the response time was 14 minutes. There were eight entrapments in the car; one male P1, one female P1, two males P4, one female P4, two male children P4 and one female child P4.” The bus had about 53 passengers whom were treated and observed for shock and later transported to the Bloemfontein Tourism Centre. The surviving two patients from the Conquest were admitted to the Pelonomi Hospital in Bloemfontein in a stable condition.
It is further believed that the Toyota Conquest transported eight passengers on the night of the accident. According to the Department of Police, Roads and Transport's spokesperson, Hilary Mophete, if this is true, it means the vehicle was overloaded. Mophete also added that the Toyota Conquest allegedly failed to stop at the junction. The Department of Health's spokesperson in the Free State, Mondli Mvambi, says that one of the patients is expected to be discharged soon, while the other one awaits surgery. Eagle Bus Liner Group's CEO Ashra Hassim said the bus drivers who were navigating the bus from Johannesburg to East London on Sunday, were still in shock and have not driven since the incident. The bus liner has since offered counselling to the drivers as a result. The group is also keeping tabs on their passengers by regularly contacting those who witnessed the tragedy. They are now awaiting a report from the Free State Department of Police, Roads and Transport probing the cause of the incident. This follows after at least four other reported serious accidents on the roads of Central South Africa. OFM News previously reported on two accidents that happened on the R57. Sources: Braam van Zyl, divisional officer, Mangaung Fire and Rescue Service, OFM News |
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