According to the spokesperson for the Free State Department of Health, Mondli Mvambi, the unidentified body was discovered by forensic pathologists to be that of a foreign national and the remains are still at the government mortuary. He said if no identification is made within 30 days, the body will be declared unclaimed and buried as a pauper.

Mondli further said amongst other deceased, it was revealed that five bodies are from Gauteng, while four, including a toddler, are from the Eastern Cape. On Tuesday (11/3) the bodies were handed over to their respective families after being processed by Free State Forensic Pathologists.

Dr. Joe Khoali, Head of the Forensic Pathology Services Directorate expressed gratitude towards all stakeholders, including the South African Police Service (SAPS), PRASA, and Transnet, for making the identification process as seamless as possible. He said the forensic team worked tirelessly from the moment the accident occurred last Wednesday (5/3), until late into the night, assisting the grieving families during this immensely difficult time.

Khoali also extended his appreciation to key leaders within the Department of Health, acknowledging the guidance of Acting Deputy Director General for the Clinical Cluster, Dr Grace London, Head of the Health Department, Masechaba Sesing, and the MEC for Health, Monyatso Mahlatsi. Their leadership has played an essential role in navigating the challenging situation surrounding the accident.

Families of the deceased were allowed to view their loved ones’ bodies on the same day after post-mortems were completed at the Welkom government mortuary on Friday (7/3).

On Monday (10/3), Transport Minister Barbara Creecy visited Pelonomi Hospital in Bloemfontein where two injured patients remain hospitalised after the accident. She wished them a speedy recovery.

Creecy also highlighted the impact of extreme weather conditions and climate change on transport infrastructure. She acknowledged that, while repairing roads remains crucial, steps must also be taken to prevent recurring damage in the future. “This remains a work in progress,” she said.

The accident follows a troubling rise in road fatalities, with 1,234 fatal crashes reported during the 2024/25 festive season, leading to 1,502 deaths. Authorities have noted a worrying increase in road deaths across Central South Africa, particularly in provinces like KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape, and Limpopo.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi cg