Staff Reporter.
The death toll in the N6 accident which occurred between Rouxville and Smithfield in the Free State on Friday has increased to seven after two more bodies were discovered trapped in a bus.
Earlier it was believed that five people died following the head-on collision between a truck and an Autopax bus.
In a statement, Autopax, a subsidiary of PRASA, said the bus was travelling from Johannesburg to Idutywa (Eastern Cape) via the Free State.
A preliminary report indicates that the truck moved into oncoming traffic and collided head-on with the bus. 43 passengers are being treated for injuries at the nearest hospital. Sadly, passengers lost their lives. The drivers of both vehicles also lost their lives.
“We deeply regret the multiple loss of life as a result of this terrible accident. We are hopeful that those who sustained injuries will recover quickly. We extend our condolences to the families of those who lost their loved ones,” read the statement.
Autopax commended the rapid response teams and traffic law enforcement officers for their swift response and handling of the accident.
Earlier this month, 15 people, including two children, were killed in a horror crash between a fully-loaded taxi and a truck on the N10 in Aberdeen in the Easdtern Cape.
The Eastern Cape Provincial Transport Department said the crash happened when the heavy-duty truck hit a cow and the driver lost control of the vehicle.