By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Caption: At least 16 people were killed, and 45 others injured, when their bus crashed near OR Tambo International Airport in Kempton Park. The bus, owned by the Ekurhuleni municipality, ferries passengers daily from Katlehong to Kempton Park. Picture: Michel Bega.
Sixteen people have died in a bus crash on the R21 northbound near the OR Tambo International Airport Interchange.
The number has risen to 16 after twelve people died at the scene and four died in hospital.
Ekurhuleni disaster and emergency management spokesperson William Ntladi said on Tuesday that the bus “jack-knifed and rolled several times”.
Injured people were transported to nearby hospitals, which includes Tembisa, Edenvale, and Tambo Memorial hospitals.
“Motorists should avoid the R21 if possible as all lanes remain closed,” Ntladi added.
The scene remains active as emergency services continue efforts to stabilise patients.
Ekurhuleni Member of the Mayoral Committee for Transport, Councillor Andile Mngwevu, said, the bus, which is owned by the City of Ekurhuleni, was en route from Katlehong to Kempton Park when it overturned.
“We are lost for words. This is a disaster,” said Mngwevu.
“To see so many bodies lying around is quite saddening, and the City really feels for the families who would have expected to see their loved ones return home later today. Our hearts are extremely heavy right now.”
Fullview learnt the bus was within the required passenger capacity, ruling out any suggestions that the cause of the accident may have been due to overloading.
“We have a coordinated approach to support the operations that are happening here, and also the families,” Ekurhuleni Executive Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza told media at the scene.
He said the bus, which belonged to the City, was in good condition and was following its usual route.
Xhakaza said the City’s various services, including disaster management, had been activated to assist those families that were still looking for their loved ones.
“We will get the final report and ensure that there is accountability, and that if there were shortcomings, we address those shortcomings,” Xhakaza said.
Meanwhile the death toll in the bus crash that took place on the KZN North Coast on Sunday afternoon has risen to nine.
The crash involved a passenger bus from Pontys Transport in Tongaat.
According to the Road Traffic Management Corporation, preliminary reports suggest that the crash happened due to a tyre failure, causing the driver to lose control.
RTMC spokesperson Simon Zwane said “The bus subsequently went through a crash barrier, plunged down an embankment, and overturned.”
The accident claimed the lives of six women, one man, and a four-year-old toddler. The details of the ninth person have not been released.
The KZN Department of Transport said four people sustained serious injuries while 35 people sustained minor injuries.