By Iavan Pijoos.
The N6 highway in the Free State, near Reddersburg, has been closed in both directions due to a deadly collision between a City to City bus and a truck, which claimed 10 lives – that of a 2-year-old girl, six women, and three men.
Road Incident Management System spokesperson Sipho Towa said the crash happened about 15km outside Reddersburg in the direction of Smithfield.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Motantsi Makhele said the accident occurred at around 04:20 when the bus, carrying 35 passengers, collided with the truck.
Makhele said the drivers of both vehicles survived.
He said five critically injured passengers were transported to hospitals in Bloemfontein and 22 others received medical treatment at Stoffel Coetzee Hospital in Smithfield.
“Preliminary reports indicate that the bus was travelling from the direction of Reddersburg towards Smithfield while the truck was heading in the opposite direction.
“Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the crash, and a case of culpable homicide has been opened,” Makhele said.
The road has been closed and traffic has been affected as follows:
- from Reddersburg, traffic is being diverted to the R717 towards Edenburg;
- from Edenburg N1, motorists are urged to drive to Springfontein and then take the R715 to Smithfield; and
- from Smithfield, motorists must take the R715 to Springfontein and then take the N1 to Bloemfontein.
Meanwhile, Community Safety, Roads, and Transport MEC Jabu Mbalula said: “We are deeply saddened by this tragic accident. Our thoughts are with the bereaved families, and we wish a speedy recovery to the injured.
“As we mourn this profound loss, we urge all road users to exercise extreme caution and adhere to the rules of the road. We must work together to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.”