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UPDATE ON BUS CRASH BETWEEN NONGOMA AND VRYHEID
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for
Transport, Mr S’bu Ndebele has visited the survivors of yesterday’s
bus crash near Nongoma. He is presently on the scene of the bus crash
which occurred on the R618 near Ngome Store between Nongoma and Vryheid.
The death toll from this crash has increased to 23 fatalities including
the driver of the bus, his conductor and a twelve year old child. The
injured were initially taken to Mountain View Hospital but were later
transferred to the Benedictine, Vryheid and Ngwelezane Hospitals. Minister Ndebele has
ordered a full investigation into this crash and a top team of detectives
from the SAPS as well as traffic officers, including accident experts have
been charged with this investigation. The investigation will scrutinize
the roadworthy certificate of the bus, to ascertain when it was issued as
well as the place of issue. The investigation will also look specifically
at the condition of the tyres of the bus to ascertain whether the right
front tyre burst before or after the crash and whether the bus was fitted
with retreads or regrooved tyres. Evidence gathered from the scene will be
sent to the forensic laboratories in Pretoria for analysis. The bus, which belongs to
Thandiyise Transport, was on its way from Newcastle to Nongoma when the
crash occurred. 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. Nineteen people died at
the scene while four more died in hospital. According to the
investigators, the bus was carrying 62 passengers. N.B.
Minister Ndebele is expected in Pietermaritzburg around 14h00 and will
avail himself for interviews.
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