By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Over 70 people have been injured in a crash involving two buses occurred near the entrance of the University of Johannesburg’s Kingsway campus, on Tuesday morning.
Emer-G-Med spokesperson Kyle van Reenen says initial reports put the number of injured at 77.
Van Reenen says they were transported to nearby hospitals for further medical care.
“One (bus) was found to have overturned and lay on its side occupying the width of the roadway. The second had collided with a concrete structure.
“Several patients were found to have sustained injuries ranging from minor to serious. An on-scene triage area was established by incident commanders and additional resources were dispatched by the Emer-G-Med Emergency Operations Centre.”
Van Reenen says several patients were extricated using specialised hydraulic equipment, including the jaws-of-life with the assistance of the Johannesburg Fire Department.
“On-scene paramedics worked fervently to stabilise the injured before they were transported by ambulances to nearby hospitals for further medical care.”
Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) spokesperson Xolani Fihla says “Yes, we can confirm that a serious accident occurred this morning on Kingsway Avenue at the University of Johannesburg entrance, involving two buses.”
“One of the buses has overturned and at the present moment multiple injuries have been reported. We do have officers and paramedics on the scene and the cause of the accident has not yet been determined,” said Fihla.
“We are seeing heavy delays in the area, especially on Kingsway Avenue leading to the scene so we are advising motorists to drive and approach that scene with caution.”
UJ confirmed that preliminary investigations revealed that 19 of its students were on the bus.
“One of the buses was ferrying students between the university’s campuses. Various support divisions from the university, including the UJ medical support services and campus protection were immediately on the scene to assist,” UJ spokesperson Masego Panyane said.
Three students were taken to a hospital, while 16 others received treatment for minor injuries on campus.
Panyane said the university’s centre for psychological services and career development had arranged counselling services for affected students.