Cape Town - Eleven people were killed in a bus accident between George and Oudtshoorn on Thursday morning, Western Cape traffic authorities said.
“Ten people died at the scene and another person died in hospital,” the province's traffic chief Kenny Africa said.
“Another 18 passengers were injured, nine seriously.”
Of the 18, four were children.
Africa said he was not sure if any of the deceased were children.
The incident happened on the N12 at 1.50am.
ER24 spokesman Werner Vermaak said paramedics received a call about the incident at 2am.
He said the bus was going around a bend, about 15km outside Oudtshoorn, when a vehicle in front apparently swerved. The bus driver lost control and it fell onto its side, said Vermaak.
Vermaak said paramedics and police had to climb into the bus to free some people who were trapped in the debris.
Among the injured was a 5-year-old boy who was found lying in the bus next to the body of his mother.
“He was awake but sustained serious fractures,” said Vermaak.
He was taken to a hospital in George.
Vermaak said the bus had apparently been coming from Cape Town.
Around 50 people were believed to be inside, excluding the deceased.
The road between George and Oudtshoorn would be closed for several hours. - Sapa