EMS spokesperson Sipho Towa said four people were declared dead on the scene, while one who was critically injured was freed by the Jaws of Life. He added two people were moderately injured while 20 sustained minor injuries.

They’ve all been transported to the Senorita Ntlabathi Hospital in Ladybrand, Free State, for medical attention. It was earlier reported that some passengers were trapped inside the minibus taxi. The road has been partially opened in both directions while the scene is being cleared.

ALSO READ: Breaking News: 10 die in accident on N1

At the beginning of December 2022, at least 10 people, including children, died in the early morning hours of Monday, 12 December 2022, following a head-on collision in the Free State. The accident happened when a taxi and truck collided on the N1 road between Verkeerdevlei and Winburg, outside Bloemfontein.

According to Towa at the time, ten people were declared dead on the scene. They included five women, three children, and two men. Towa said two other people were also left critically injured, and one had minor injuries. The patients were transported to the Pelonomi Hospital in Bloemfontein. 

ALSO READ: Seven people dead, 38 injured, and many trapped after Free State bus accident

Another accident that shocked the province occurred between Bloemfontein and Botshabelo back in November 2022. Whereby at least nine people lost their lives. On the day the accident happened, at least 7 were declared dead on scene, while 38 injured, and many trapped inside the bus. According to police spokesperson, Mahlomola Kareli, the seven bodies were inside the wrecks on the accident scene at the time.

Some bodies were still trapped inside the truck and the bus that collided, Thursday morning 10 November 2022 just after 07:00. At least 38 people were ferried to different hospitals for medical attention. 

Injured commuters were taken to the Botshabelo Hospital (22) and the Moroka Hospital in Thaba Nchu (9), whilst critically and moderately injured people were transported to the Pelonomi Trauma Hospital (6) and Rosepark Life Hospital (1) in Bloemfontein by various emergency medical services. Patients included 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.

At the time it had been said that there were more than 60 passengers on the bus.

OFM News