Horror in KwaZulu-Natal: Bus Plunges Off Bridge, Leaves Multiple Dead

A fully-loaded bus crashed off a bridge in KwaZulu-Natal on Tuesday morning, killing three people and injuring at least twelve more. The bus plunged more than 50 meters down the embankment after the collision on the R102 near the Maidstone Sugar Mill in the Tongaat area.

Soon after the incident, emergency personnel hurried to the scene. The R102 is still closed and rescue operations are still underway, according to IPSS Medical Rescue spokesperson Kelsey-Jae Merick. While emergency services continue their recovery efforts, drivers have been advised to look for alternate routes.

Three fatalities and numerous critical injuries have been confirmed by preliminary reports from the crash site. “The situation is still fluid,” Merick stated.

Provincial Authorities React

Siboniso Armstrong Duma, the KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, offered the impacted families his condolences. Ndabezinhle Sibiya, the spokesperson for the Duma, said, “We are deeply saddened by this tragic accident and offer our deepest sympathies to those who have lost loved ones.”

As traffic continues to back up and emergency personnel continue their work, Sibiya asked the public to exercise patience. “We’re focused on helping the injured and saving lives,” he continued.

Different Collisions Increase the Grim Toll

Another major incident occurred on the M4 just north of Durban on Tuesday morning when two cars collided close to the Virginia off-ramp, critically injuring three people. ALS paramedics arrived quickly, and because of the severity of their injuries, one patient was airlifted to the hospital.

Garrith Jamieson, an ALS spokesman, called the scene “carnage,” pointing out that both cars were severely damaged. “Before taking the patients to the hospital, our teams worked quickly to stabilize them,” he stated.

Two more people were killed and four others were injured in a deadly collision that occurred in the Eastern Cape on Sunday. Two cars and a motorcycle were involved in the collision, which happened on the N2 close to Kei Bridge outside of East London.

The cause of the crash is being investigated, according to provincial transport spokesperson Unathi Binqose. While the others were taken to the hospital, one passenger and the motorcyclist perished at the scene.

An Appeal for Traffic Safety

These incidents have brought attention to South Africa’s growing road safety concerns. As investigations into the causes of these crashes continue, authorities continue to advise drivers to exercise caution, especially on high-risk routes like the R102 and M4.

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Sourced:The Citizen

Picture:eNCA via AP/Khaosodenglish