Reddersburg – A horrific bus accident on the N6 highway near Reddersburg in the Free State has claimed the lives of ten people, including a two-year-old girl. The tragedy occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, 5 February, when a City to City bus carrying 33 passengers collided with a truck.
The crash, which took place approximately 15 kilometres south of Reddersburg towards Smithfield, has left over 31 people injured, with emergency services working tirelessly at the scene.
Free State Emergency Medical Services (EMS) spokesperson Sipho Towa confirmed the devastating news. "Ten fatalities have been confirmed, although the number may change as rescue operations continue," Towa said earlier in the day. He later added, "The incident has resulted in a significant number of casualties, with over 31 injuries reported and a death toll that has risen to 10 confirmed fatalities, although this number may still be unconfirmed."
Among the deceased are six women, three men, and the young toddler. According to police reports, both the bus driver and the truck driver survived the collision. Injured passengers have been transported to hospitals in Smithfield and Bloemfontein for medical treatment.
The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has dispatched crash investigators to the Free State to determine the cause of the collision. RTMC spokesperson Simon Zwane said, "Information indicates the bus was travelling on the N6 from Reddersburg in the direction of Smithfield, while the truck with two trailers was travelling in the opposite direction."
Zwane further explained that the two vehicles collided in a side-swipe crash, but the exact cause of the accident is still under investigation. "The RTMC sends condolences to the affected families and wishes a speedy recovery to the injured. We urge all road users to exercise extreme caution when travelling in the early hours. Statistics show most crashes take place before dawn," he said.
Emergency services were alerted to the incident at approximately 03:50 am. Upon arrival, they found a scene of devastation, with passengers trapped inside the wreckage.
"EMS were activated at about 10 minutes before 4 a.m. for an accident involving a truck and a bus on the N6 about 15 km before Reddersburg if you are coming from Smithfield. On arrival, they found that it was a side head-on collision between a bus and a truck," said Towa.
"At the present moment, 23 passengers are reported to be slightly injured, seven are reported to be critically injured. There are still passengers that are trapped. Emergency services are still on the scene," Towa added.
The N6 highway was closed to traffic following the accident, with diversions put in place. For those travelling from Reddersburg, traffic is being diverted to the R717 towards Edenburg (27 km), then to the N1 to Springfontein (69.5 km), and finally taking the R715 to Smithfield (103 km) to rejoin the N6. For travellers from Smithfield, the alternative route is to take the R715 to Springfontein, then the N1 to Bloemfontein (140 km). As of Wednesday afternoon, one lane has been re-opened for traffic after the extraction and clean-up operations were completed.
A case of culpable homicide has been opened as police continue their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
This tragedy comes shortly after another devastating incident in the Free State, where eight people lost their lives when their vehicle was swept away by strong currents while attempting to cross the Kliprivier low-water bridge in Heilbron on 2 March.
The victims, who were reported missing, were identified as Ditaba Isaac Mazibuko (71), the driver; Modiehi Elizabeth Mazibuko (62), the driver's wife; Refilwe Jwalane Monyatsi (14), their granddaughter; Luyanda Zengele (10), their grandson; Sibusiso Brain Zengele (12), their grandson; Patrick Mquega (34), a colleague of the driver; Nthabiseng Agnes Toba (33), the colleague's wife; and Omphile Angela Toba (2), their daughter.
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