ALSO READ: Bus collides with truck in Free State

OFM News previously reported that 7 people had died following the accident between an Interstate bus and a truck on Thursday 10 November 2022. 

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

According to the Police, Roads and Transport Department's spokesperson, Hillary Mophethe: “It is alleged that the truck driver overtook [another] bus and when he noticed the oncoming bus he then tried to avoid a head-on collision by swaying his truck to the right lane but this led to a crash with the bus."

The accident, which claimed the lives of both the drivers, left 3 passengers in a critical state, 19 with moderate injuries and 32 with minor injuries.

The provincial Emergency Medical Services' (EMS) spokesperson, Sipho Towa, earlier told OFM News that 22 patients were taken to the Botshabelo Hospital, 9 to the Moroka Hospital, 10 to the Pelonomi Hospital, and 1 to the Rosepark Life Hospital.

Earlier today, the bodies of the deceased passengers and truck drivers were all trapped inside the wrecks following the accident.  

“The MEC for the Department of Police, Roads and Transport (DPR&T), William Bulwane, wishes to extend his heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their loved ones and wishes a speedy recovery to all the injured,” Mophethe adds.

Bulwane has since urged all road users to respect the rules of the road and help curb road accidents and fatalities on the roads.

ALSO READ: Free State MEC saddened, shocked by horrific N8 accident - VIDEO, PHOTOS

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

The Stakeholder Relations Manager at Interstate Bus Lines, Vuyo Ondala, confirmed to OFM News that one of their buses and a logistics truck from a company based in Klerksdorp collided this morning.

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

"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 said.

OFM News