6 killed, 4 injured in bus crash

SIX people were killed when a bus they were travelling in from the Western Cape to the Eastern Cape overturned on the R61 between Beaufort West and Aberdeen on Monday morning.

Transport spokesperson Unathi Binqose said the bus accident took place after the driver lost control of the passenger vehicle. He said 42 people were on board.

Eastern Cape transport MEC Weziwe Tikana has expressed shock and sent condolences.

Binqose said: “The accident happened 40 kilometres from Aberdeen. The passenger liner is known as Miya. The deceased are six (three adult female, two adult males, and a young boy) and four others sustained serious injuries.”

Binqose said the injured were rushed to Midlands Hospital in Graaff-Reinet and Aberdeen Hospital.

“The accident happened just before last night, as the bus was ferrying people from the Western Cape to the Eastern Cape after the weekend. Investigators remain on the scene sifting for clues of what may have let to the accident.”

Binqose said: “MEC Tikana wishes to pass her condolences to the families of the deceased while wishing for a speedy and a full recovery for those recovering in hospital. She has pledged that nothing will be left to chance in the investigation to finding the real cause of the accident.”

Binqose said the bus driver was severely injured and was airlifted to Livingstone hospital in Port Elizabeth in a critical condition. The assistant driver suffered minor injuries.

The accident brought traffic to a near standstill as one lane was completely blocked. At dusk on Monday, Binqose said: “Motorists are advised to exercise caution when approaching that section of the road. EC DoT Customer Care Line 0800 644 644.”

malibongwed@dispatch.co.za