Brits - The death toll in the Brits bus accident has risen to three after another woman died in hospital on Tuesday.
“The third person, a woman died at the Brits District Hospital due to injuries she suffered. We have her details, we are waiting her next of kin,” said Warrant Officer Mpeile Talane, the police spokesman in Brits.
Two women, aged 54 and 37, were killed and 25 other people injured when a bus overturned in Makolokwe outside Bethanie near Brits.
“The bus was travelling on a gravel road from Makolokwe to Brits via Bethanie at about 5.50am. The bus driver lost control of the bus and it capsized. Two people died at the scene and 25 were injured,” said Talane.
North West Community Safety and Transport Management MEC Gaoage Molapisi, sent condolences to families of the deceased and to those injured in a bus accident.
“We are disturbed and saddened by the sad news of this accident and we would like to wish a speedy recovery to those injured and our sincere condolences to the bereaved families,” he said.
He said two counts of capable homicide was opened against the driver.
“The driver was admitted at the Brits Medi-Clinic and the other injured people were taken to the Brits District Hospital.”
The Hartbeespoort Emergency Rescue Unit said one woman was airlifted to Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg after her hand was amputated in the accident.
“The woman was airlifted to Milpark, her hand was amputated and she suffered other serious injuries,” said spokeswoman Loanne Louw.
She said the others had injuries ranging from mild to minor.
Molapisi said that the accident happened at the time the department had held a progressive meeting with the bus service concerned and the Lethabong Community Representatives, about 40km from Bethanie, regarding the status of their buses.
“The company’s buses have been subjected to rigorous certificate of roadworthy testing and all are compliant. In that meeting, we were satisfied by their new plan to implement a bus replacement programme.”
He said the intervention would address the concerns raised by the community and the commuters of Lethabong.
ANA