TWENTY PEOPLE KILLED IN BUS CRASH BETWEEN NONGOMA AND VRYHEID 

KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Mr S’bu Ndebele has expressed shock at the unnecessary loss of lives after twenty people were killed and another twenty_two injured when a bus left the road and rolled down an embankment at about 17h00 today (2002-04-25), along the R618 near Ngome store between Nongoma and Vryheid. It is alleged that the right front tyre of the bus burst causing the driver to lose control. The bus then overturned several times before coming to a standstill down the embankment. 

The bus, which belongs to Thandiyise Transport, was on its way from Newcastle to Nongoma when the crash occurred. Among the fatalities were the driver, his conductor and a twelve-year-old child. The bus has been suspended and impounded at the Vryheid SAPS where a thorough roadworthiness examination will be conducted tomorrow to assist the SAPS in their investigations. 

Mr Ndebele together with senior officials from his department will travel to the crash scene tomorrow to ascertain the exact cause of the crash and to visit those injured in hospital. 

Minister Ndebele has expressed his condolences to the families of those killed and wishes the injured a speedy recovery.

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