A tragic bus accident claimed the lives of 16 people, including at least three children, after a passenger bus overturned near Touws River in the Western Cape shortly after midnight on Thursday. The devastating crash has also left 35 people injured, including the driver, who were rushed to nearby hospitals for medical treatment.
According to authorities, the bus was carrying 73 passengers and was travelling from Cape Town to various destinations in the Eastern Cape. Many of those on board were holidaymakers returning home after spending time in the City of Cape Town.
The Western Cape Department of Mobility confirmed that emergency services responded swiftly to the scene following reports of the crash. Rescue teams worked through the night to assist survivors, recover those trapped inside the overturned vehicle, and transport the injured to hospitals.
Chief Director for Traffic Management in the provincial Mobility Department, Maxine Bezuidenhout, said preliminary information provided by the driver suggests that another vehicle may have contributed to the accident.
According to the driver’s account, he was travelling along the N1 highway towards Touws River when a vehicle allegedly emerged from a side road. In an attempt to avoid a collision, the driver reportedly swerved, causing the bus to lose control and overturn.
Officials confirmed that among the survivors receiving treatment is a child younger than two years old. The identities of those who lost their lives have not yet been released as authorities continue informing their families.
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One of the passengers who survived the crash described the terrifying moments leading up to the accident. Speaking anonymously, the survivor said the journey had already been delayed before the bus departed.
He explained that he was originally scheduled to leave Bellville at around 7:30 pm, but passengers continued boarding at Kraaifontein until approximately 11:30 pm before the bus finally continued its journey.
The passenger recalled that he had started falling asleep when loud screams suddenly woke him. Moments later, he realised the bus had overturned onto its side.
He described being trapped inside the vehicle with other passengers pressed against one another as people cried out for help. He said he could feel his arm touching the ground while pinned inside the bus, highlighting the frightening conditions survivors endured before emergency responders arrived.
Meanwhile, the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) in the Western Cape has extended its condolences to the families and loved ones of those who died in the crash.
The federation has called on law enforcement agencies and the Department of Transport to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident.
COSATU said investigators should examine every possible contributing factor, including the condition of the road, the mechanical fitness of the bus, and whether driver fatigue may have played any role in the tragedy. The organisation stressed that identifying the exact cause is essential to preventing similar incidents in the future.
Authorities have confirmed that investigations into the fatal crash are ongoing. More information is expected to be released once officials complete their preliminary assessment and notify the families of all those affected.
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