DURBAN - TRANSPORT, Community Safety and Liaison MEC Peggy Nkonyeni on Tuesday raised concerns about public transport being involved in the recent spate of crashes. This was after the N3 southbound was shut down following a bus crash that killed at least 10 people and injured over 50.
She said an experienced team has been assigned to investigate the cause of the crash.
“We are absolutely shocked yet again by the loss of innocent human lives,” Nkonyeni said.
The crash took place at the N3 Tugela Bridge.
Thania Dhoogra, an operations manager at N3 Toll Concession, said the traffic blockade lasted for hours before the fast lane was opened. The slow lane had remained closed to allow for the recovery operations.
Robert McKenzie of the KZN Emergency Services said a baby was among the 10 people killed.
According to the police report, the driver of the Eldo Coaches bus lost control and had veered off the road, killing 10 at the scene and leaving over 50 with serious injuries.
Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Thembeka Mbele said the bus with 66 passengers was travelling along the northbound carriage lane when the crash occurred.
“It is believed there was a blow-out on the right front tyre.
“The driver of the bus lost control causing the vehicle to veer over the centre medium and over the southbound carriage lane. The vehicle overturned and came to standstill off the road,” Mbele said.
She said a total of 10 people were declared dead at the scene and the injured had been transported to local hospitals.
“A culpable homicide case has been opened at Colenso SAPS.”
Nkonyeni sent condolences to all the families who lost their loved ones.
“We further appeal to public transport drivers to make sure they have enough rest before embarking on a trip. The public transport owners equally have a responsibility of making sure that their vehicles are compliant and roadworthy,” she said.
The MEC said that as part of the 2021 October Transport Month campaign her department was embarking on an intensive road safety and law enforcement campaign to radically achieve the mindset change of all road users.
“As part of the strategy, there are outcome-driven law enforcement operations… focusing on all strategic points in the province,” Nkonyeni said.
Eldo Coaches said the coach had departed from Durban Station and was travelling to Johannesburg.
“We are doing our best to assist all passengers that were on board. All emergency and medical services are present on scene. We are currently getting in touch with all emergency contacts of the passengers that were on board,” it said.
The bus company said it was co-operating fully with local authorities to ensure that the crash was thoroughly investigated.
Daily News