Photo: Supplied
Photo: Supplied
An utterly devastating bus crash has taken place in the Eastern Cape. A vehicle driving along a gravel road near Centane lost control, with 21 of the occupants on board plummeting to their deaths.
The true horror of the scene is difficult to comprehend. As well as the shocking number of deaths, a number of passengers have had to be airlifted to the nearby Tafalofefe Hospital. More fatalities could be reported later in the day, and we’ve learned a little more about this tragic accident:
Now the number of the deceased is 21 on that Bus in Centane @TrafficSA pic.twitter.com/tbUMe5pyZa
— Manelisi Mdiya ? (@M_Manelisi) March 2, 2020
Simon Zwane is a spokesperson for the RTMC. He confirmed that the incident took place at 08:00 on Monday morning. Zwane also revealed the route of the bus, which travelled from Chebe and headed towards Butterworth before it veered off the road near Centane. The investigation is already underway.
“A major crash occurred on Monday 2 March on the gravel road in Willowvale at Qolweni location near Tafalofefe Hospital at about 08:00, in the Eastern Cape. The incident involved a Marco Polo bus only. It was travelling from Chebe picking-up passengers along the road to Butterworth.
“The driver lost control of the bus in the bushes down a steep area and overturned. Now 21 occupants have been declared dead. Total injury info is still not conclusive and will be updated soon. The cause of the crash is unkown at this stage and subject to an ongoing investigation. RTMC will investigate along with the police.”
Simon Zwane