We can’t afford more fatalities, says transport MEC after 9 church members die in bus accident

A pregnant woman and three youngsters between eight and 12 years old are among the survivors of the horror bus crash that claimed the lives of nine members of the Twelve Apostles Church in Trinity on Sunday afternoon.

National chairperson of the church Bonginkosi Dlamini, who led a team that visited some of the survivors at the General Justice Gizenga Mpanza Regional Hospital on Monday, said the congregants were travelling from Richards Bay to Shakaskraal when the accident occurred. 

It is understood the bus experienced a burst tyre, resulting in the driver losing control and the vehicle rolling down an embankment.

Nine people died, including six women, two men and a four-year-old child. About 60 others were injured.

“Though some of these patients are in pain and in a serious condition, I am encouraged by the progress some of the patients have shown. I was heartbroken to see one of the church members who was in excruciating pain as they had suffered head injuries,” said Dlamini.

He said some of the patients were disorientated and could not explain how they had landed up in hospital.

“But they are speaking which gives me optimism they will make a speedy recovery,” he said.

He said it was heart-wrenching to see the children in hospital. 

“Of those kids, some have been left bruised and bandaged. We thank God for sparing their lives while our thoughts are with the departed,” he said.

Dlamini said the injured passengers were admitted to the Eshowe, Maphumulo and Pixley ka Seme hospitals.

“We will be monitoring their progress and as a church we plan to meet to discuss what support we will offer,” said Dlamini.

He said the church has dispatched some of its leaders to help the families of those who had the grim task of identifying their loved ones.

Provincial transport MEC Siboniso Duma said an investigation was under way into the cause of the accident and there were plans to ensure victims are given a dignified memorial service and a funeral.

Duma said a psychologist would provide counselling to the victims' families.

The MEC said the authorities were preparing to launch a safety campaign for the route ahead of the Easter holidays.

He said they would focus on the roadworthiness of buses and taxis that transport people to events and would monitor adherence to speed regulations.

“We can't afford more fatalities," Duma said. 

He is expected to visit the families of the victims on Wednesday.

Search and rescue teams worked tirelessly at the accident site to ensure all bodies and survivors had been recovered. 

Bystanders and members of the nearby Mandeni community flocked to the scene and watched as a tow truck took several hours to recover the bus from dense vegetation. 

Surgical gloves and discarded foil body covers strewn on the N2 and along the steep embankment bore testimony to the horror that unfolded less than 24 hours earlier. 

Mayor of Ilembe district Thobani Shandu said the scene was yet another horrific testament to carnage on the roads.

“Yet another accident. I am lost for words. These repeated occurrences are shocking and disheartening. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the departed and the injured occupants who are receiving care at hospitals,” said Shandu.

The bus accident comes a week after 10 people died in a crash involving a Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa city-to-city bus and a Volvo truck on the N6 in the Free State.