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7 August 2026
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12 killed, 66 injured after bus overturns on N1 in Free State
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Twelve people, including children, were killed and 66 others injured when a bus travelling from Cape Town to Johannesburg overturned on the N1 near Trompsburg in the Free State on Thursday night. The passenger bus was transporting 78 occupants from Cape Town to Zimbabwe when the driver allegedly lost control, causing the vehicle to overturn and completely block the highway. The Free State Department of Health said that Free State Emergency Medical Services (EMS) confirmed that the bus overturned shortly after 9.30pm on the N1, about 24km north of Trompsburg in the direction of Edenburg.
Department spokesperson Mondli Mvambi said the bus was lying across the N1, obstructing the roadway, and that multiple injuries and fatalities had been reported. “Emergency services have been activated and are on scene. Law enforcement is on scene and managing the incident.”
Mvambi said EMS found 14 injured people outside the bus, while children had been trapped underneath it. “11 people are reported as deceased so far - 5 children and 6 adults - their gender and identities cannot be fully determined at this stage.” He said triage and extrication efforts were ongoing. Between 57 and 66 passengers sustained injuries. They were transported to Albert Nzula Hospital in Trompsburg and Pelonomi Tertiary Hospital in Bloemfontein for urgent medical care.
The EMS cautioned motorists travelling on the N1 between Trompsburg and Edenburg to be on high alert, reduce speed and expect significant delays. “Traffic officials are diverting vehicles where possible. Road users are advised to use alternative routes. Emergency Medical Services and law enforcement agencies are responding and will provide further updates as more information becomes available. We extend our sincere condolences to the families of those who have lost loved ones and wish a speedy recovery to all the injured,” Mvambi said.
Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) spokesperson Simon Zwane said the crash occurred when the bus travelling from Cape Town to Johannesburg overturned. “Emergency services responded swiftly to the scene, where 66 passengers also sustained injuries and were transported to nearby medical facilities for treatment.”
He said the RTMC crash investigation team had been deployed to determine the cause of the collision. “Preliminary investigations are underway, and no conclusions will be drawn until all evidence has been examined. The RTMC extends its heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives and wishes a speedy recovery to those injured.”
Zimbabwe's Consul-General and Free State government officials assisted families with formal victim identification at the Bloemfontein mortuary in early August 2026 to facilitate repatriation.
According to the Free State Department of Health, the identification of the deceased will take place at the Government Mortuary between 3 and 7 August. Further details regarding the identification and repatriation of the victims will be communicated through official channels.
The update follows the confirmation that a 47-year-old Zimbabwean woman, who had been receiving intensive care at Pelonomi Tertiary Hospital after the crash, died on Friday, 31 July, bringing the death toll to 12.
The department said both Pelonomi Tertiary Hospital and Universitas Academic Hospital continue to provide care to the remaining critically and seriously injured patients. The patients were recently visited by the Consul General of Zimbabwe in Johannesburg, Eria Phiri, together with Free State Head of Health Ernest Mohlahlo.
Sources: Free State Department of Health, IOL, Radio Bloem
Department spokesperson Mondli Mvambi said the bus was lying across the N1, obstructing the roadway, and that multiple injuries and fatalities had been reported. “Emergency services have been activated and are on scene. Law enforcement is on scene and managing the incident.”
Mvambi said EMS found 14 injured people outside the bus, while children had been trapped underneath it. “11 people are reported as deceased so far - 5 children and 6 adults - their gender and identities cannot be fully determined at this stage.” He said triage and extrication efforts were ongoing. Between 57 and 66 passengers sustained injuries. They were transported to Albert Nzula Hospital in Trompsburg and Pelonomi Tertiary Hospital in Bloemfontein for urgent medical care.
The EMS cautioned motorists travelling on the N1 between Trompsburg and Edenburg to be on high alert, reduce speed and expect significant delays. “Traffic officials are diverting vehicles where possible. Road users are advised to use alternative routes. Emergency Medical Services and law enforcement agencies are responding and will provide further updates as more information becomes available. We extend our sincere condolences to the families of those who have lost loved ones and wish a speedy recovery to all the injured,” Mvambi said.
Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) spokesperson Simon Zwane said the crash occurred when the bus travelling from Cape Town to Johannesburg overturned. “Emergency services responded swiftly to the scene, where 66 passengers also sustained injuries and were transported to nearby medical facilities for treatment.”
He said the RTMC crash investigation team had been deployed to determine the cause of the collision. “Preliminary investigations are underway, and no conclusions will be drawn until all evidence has been examined. The RTMC extends its heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives and wishes a speedy recovery to those injured.”
Zimbabwe's Consul-General and Free State government officials assisted families with formal victim identification at the Bloemfontein mortuary in early August 2026 to facilitate repatriation.
According to the Free State Department of Health, the identification of the deceased will take place at the Government Mortuary between 3 and 7 August. Further details regarding the identification and repatriation of the victims will be communicated through official channels.
The update follows the confirmation that a 47-year-old Zimbabwean woman, who had been receiving intensive care at Pelonomi Tertiary Hospital after the crash, died on Friday, 31 July, bringing the death toll to 12.
The department said both Pelonomi Tertiary Hospital and Universitas Academic Hospital continue to provide care to the remaining critically and seriously injured patients. The patients were recently visited by the Consul General of Zimbabwe in Johannesburg, Eria Phiri, together with Free State Head of Health Ernest Mohlahlo.
Sources: Free State Department of Health, IOL, Radio Bloem
