TZANEEN – Five people have lost their lives in a horrific bus accident on the R71 road in Magoebaskloof, Tzaneen. The accident occurred at around 3 am on Saturday.
Paramedics rushed to the scene after receiving reports of the accident at approximately 3:30 am.
Upon arrival, they encountered a distressing scene where a bus, packed with passengers, had veered off the road and tumbled roughly 20 meters down a steep embankment.
Tragically, five passengers sustained fatal injuries and were declared deceased at the scene.
Several other occupants of the bus suffered a range of injuries, from minor to severe.
Emergency services acted swiftly to stabilize the injured before they were transported to various hospitals for further treatment.
Read | Dashcam shows how trucker lost control and overturned on R71 Makgobaskloof Pass
The bus was coming from Botlokwa en route to the Mbombela Stadium for the ANC’s January 8th Statement rally when the tragedy struck.
Currently, the R71 road remains closed as the authorities conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the accident.
Law enforcement agencies are working diligently to understand the circumstances leading up to this tragic incident.
The authorities are calling for patience and understanding as they work to clear the site and reopen the road. Our thoughts are with the families and friends of those who lost their lives in this tragic accident.
