A horrific crash claimed at least three lives early Tuesday morning after a passenger bus plunged off the bridge over the Tongaat River near the Maidstone Sugar Mill on the R102 in Tongaat, KwaZulu-Natal.
Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) confirmed that their officers were dispatched to the scene at approximately 06:26. Upon arrival, they discovered the bus lying several metres below the bridge, having veered off the structure under circumstances still under investigation.
IPSS Medical Rescue, IPSS Search & Rescue, and other emergency services are currently on scene conducting rescue and recovery operations. The bus was reportedly fully laden at the time of the crash, raising concerns about the number of potential casualties.
Read | Off-Duty Truck Driver Dies After His Car Plunges Off R102 Bridge in Tongaat
“At least three people have been declared dead on the scene,” said RUSA spokesperson Prem Balram. “Several others sustained varying degrees of injuries and have been transported to nearby hospitals for urgent medical attention.”
Due to the severity of the crash and the ongoing emergency response, the R102 has been closed to traffic in both directions. Authorities are urging motorists to use alternative routes and give way to emergency vehicles to allow for swift access to and from the scene.
The cause of the crash has not yet been confirmed.
This is a developing story. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
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