Tragedy strikes as bus crash claims ten lives | Western Cape Government

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Tragedy strikes as bus crash claims ten lives

30 August 2018

In the early hours of this morning a Naledi Bus Services bus crashed on Aberdeen Road, about 50 kms outside of Beaufort West, killing a total of 10 people (8 people on the scene and another two later) and injuring 30. The bus is said to have been coming from Cape Town on its way to various destinations in the Eastern Cape.

The injured were initially admitted to the Beaufort West hospital, and others to the George hospital.

Initial reports have suggested that the driver lost control of the bus after striking an animal that appeared on the road.

My sincere thoughts go out to the families and loved ones of those who have so senselessly lost their lives. I also wish those that sustained injuries in this horrific crash a speedy recovery.

This crash occurred on a stretch of road that has had a long history of public transport crashes, claiming lives and injuring many. These incidents have, however, decreased substantially in recent times since the introduction of various road safety interventions in that strip of road which include an Average Speed Over Distance (ASOD) camera enforcement system, and our successful fatigue management law enforcement operations.

I have asked my officials to assist law enforcement authorities in their investigations into the tragic crash, and plan to engage with the bus company involved on matters around general safety and practices to avoid crashes that take the lives of innocent passengers.

Media Enquiries: 

Siphesihle Dube
Spokesperson for the Minister of Transport and Public Works, Donald Grant
Cell: 084 233 3811
Tel: 021 483 8954
Fax: 021 483 2217
E-mail: Siphesihle.Dube@westerncape.gov.za