MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison Mr Willies Mchunu has express his sincere condolences to the families of the nine victims killed in a horrific accident involving a truck and a bus in the early hours of today 22 August 2011 on the N3 Ultra City-Escourt.
According to preliminary reports received, the bus (Greyhound Coach Line) was travelling from Mthatha to Gauteng, when a truck travelling on the South bound lost control and collided with a bus. It is alleged that nine people died, seven were critically injured, 25 sustain serious injuries and 23 sustained minor injuries and were taken to Estcourt and Ladysmith Hospital.
“I would like to send my deepest condolences to the bereaved families. It is very saddening that, more people continue to die everyday on our roads despites all the efforts the government does to curb accidents on the roads. This accident happened while the province is still in mourning of two accidents that happened few weeks ago, one claiming ten lives in Kokstad and another one on the N2 claiming eleven lives including a nine month old baby. We continue to urge all drivers to adhere to all rules of the road including taking care of their well being by resting, drinking water if they are travelling long distances” said Mchunu.
The department is going to intensify enforcement in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) boarders for any vehicle entering or exiting the province. The Department is also going to engage with other provinces using KZN roads to develop a coordinated plan of action to reduce carnages on the roads. Mchunu also continued that they will engage meet with the Bus, freight and taxi industries with an intension to see what kind of mechanism can be used to ensure safety on the roads.
Enquiries:
Kwanele Ncalane
Cell: 079 699 5755
Nine people died after a bus and truck collision on the N3 near Estcourt
Province
