ALSO READ: Seven people dead, 25 injured, and many trapped after Free State bus accident

On Thursday 10 November 2022, a truck which travelled from Bloemfontein collided with an Interstate bus coming from Thaba Nchu.

ALSO READ: Bus collides with truck in Free State

MEC William Bulwane told OFM News that he is devasted by the incident and explained the officials are still carrying out the investigation to determine the cause of the accident. At noon, bodies still remain trapped inside both the truck and bus whilst over 30 patients, who suffered injuries ranging from critical to moderate, were sent to various hospitals in Bloemfontein and Botshabelo. Bulwane said he will visit the injured patients in hospitals and see how they can be assisted.

VIDEO: Kekeletso Mosebetsi

"We woke up to the bad news that on the N8, immediately at the bridge after Botshabelo, there was an accident between an Interstate bus and a truck. Close to 71 people were affected, including the people in the truck. We have lost 7 people, which include both drivers," Bulwane added.

Bulwane further adds that the accident scene has been declared a crime scene and once the police are done with the investigations, the Jaws of Life will be used to extract the trapped.

According to the police spokesperson, Mahlomola Kareli, the seven bodies were inside the wrecks.

Injured commuters were taken to the Botshabelo Hospital (22) and the Moroka Hospital in Thaba Nchu (9), whilst critically and moderately injured people have been transported to the Pelonomi Trauma Hospital (6) and Rosepark Life Hospital (1) in Bloemfontein by various emergency medical services. Patients include 3 critically injured, 19 moderately injured, and 32 with minor injuries, with 7 people declared dead on the scene - both the drivers and 5 passengers. It has been said that there were more than 60 passengers on the bus.

Authorities on the scene include the police, traffic officials, emergency medical services, and firefighters. Other law enforcement officers include specialist investigators and crash investigators from Pretoria in Gauteng.

Stakeholder Relations Manager at Interstate Bus Lines, Vuyo Ondala, confirmed to OFM News that one of their buses and a logistics truck collided this morning, leaving a number of people dead and injured.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the bus lines, George Mokgothu, has also sent condolences to the families of those who died in the accident this morning.

"We understand the urgency of the matter and have implemented our response plan, which places the highest priority on the health and safety of our passengers and our employees. We are in constant communication with our emergency response team, the authorities, medical teams and passengers at the site. Our hearts and prayers go out to those involved in this unfortunate accident.  We commit to supplying additional information as and when it becomes available. We will do so by working closely with the media and the public," Mokgothu says.

OFM News