A collision between a truck and an Interstate Bus Line (IBL) bus which occurred on 10 November around 06:50, on the notorious N8 road, has claimed the lives of seven people.
Victims include both the bus and truck driver. It is reported that the bus and the truck collided head-on on a bridge situated about 8 km from the Botshabelo subway.
The 80 seater bus had 62 passengers when the accident happened, according to George Mokgothu, chief executive officer of the bus company.
“The bus driver is among the victims that sadly died in the crash,” he said. Mokgothu said the bus was ferrying commuters from Thaba Nchu to Bloemfontein. Most of the commuters work in the city.
A hydraulic extrication rescue tool was used to rescue those stuck inside the bus. Details as to what exactly led to the fatal head-on collision are still sparse.
“An investigation has been launched to get more information,” said Mokgothu.
Mondli Mvambi, spokesperson of the Department of Health, said of the passengers three are critically injured, 19 moderately injured, and 32 suffered minor injuries. They were admitted between the Botshabelo Hospital, the Moroka Hospital in Thaba Nchu, the Rosepark Hospital and Pelonomi Trauma Hospital in Bloemfontein.
