The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has sent a team of crash investigators to Limpopo to establish the cause of a major bus crash that claimed 42 lives on Sunday evening.
The crash occurred when a bus overturned on the N1 North near Ingwe Lodge around 18:00.
The deceased include seven children, 17 adult males, and 18 adult females, in what was one of South Africa’s deadliest-ever road incidents.
In addition, 49 passengers were injured. Those injured were transported to Louis Trichardt, Siloam and Elim hospitals. One critically injured child was air lifted to Tshilidzini hospital.
Rolled down an embankment
The bus was travelling from Gqeberha to Zimbabwe and Malawi. Early indications are that it overturned and rolled down a steep embankment.
Transport Minister Barbara Creecy and Deputy Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa both expressed their sadness at the tragic loss of lives.
They have expressed their heartfelt felt condolences to the bereaved families and wished a speedy recovery to the passengers who were injured.
Minister Creecy is set to visit a crash scene and those in hospitals from 13:30 on Monday.
‘Tragedy’
Meanwhile, President Cyril Ramaphosa said: “This incident is a tragedy for South Africa and our sister states of Zimbabwe and Malawi alike.
“This sadness is compounded by the fact that this incident has taken place during our annual Transport Month, where we place a special focus on the importance of safety on our roads.
“Our roads are also economic networks that bring the people of our region together across our national borders.
“We must do everything we can as road users, as transport operators, drivers and passengers to ensure that we stay safe and that we share our roads responsibly and with care for one another.”
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