Soldier dies, 42 injured
A NORTHERN Cape soldier was killed and another 42 from bases in and around Kimberley were injured when the military bus they were travelling in overturned on the N12.
The accident occurred at around 10am on Friday morning on the N12 highway, about 20 kilometres from Victoria West.
The 55-seater bus was ferrying 43 South African National Defence Force (SANDF) members from various units in and around Kimberley to a soccer tournament in Saldanha when the accident occurred. The driver apparently lost control of the vehicle.
The accident left the busy N12 highway between Brits and Victoria West closed for several hours as the bus lay across the road, blocking both lanes.
According to SANDF spokesperson, Brigadier General Mafi Mgobozi, one member died, while four members were critically injured during the incident.
The name of the soldier who died in the incident has not been released yet.
“Emergency medical personnel were on the scene and stabilised the injured. Three critically injured members were taken by ambulanc to a hospital in De Aar and were then airlifted to 3 Military Hospital in Bloemfontein.
“Another highly critical member was airlifted from the scene of the accident to a hospital in George for further emergency medical treatment. The emergency medical personnel stabilised the rest of the injured members,” Mgobozi said.
Released
He added yesterday that the name of the deceased would be released today after family members were informed of his death
It is believed that he is a 26-yearold SANDF member attached to the 93 Ammunition Depot in Jan Kempdorp.
“Details surrounding the circumstances that led to the bus overturning will form part of an investigation into the accident,” Mgobozi said.
Road users said yesterday that the highway were closed for several hours after the incident and was only opened at around 3pm, forcing motorists to turn around and make use of alternative routes. Trucks that were unable to turn around had to wait until the road was opened.
The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, the Secretary for Defence, Dr Sam Gulube, and the Chief of the SANDF, General Solly Shoke, expressed their condolences to the family members, friends and colleagues of the deceased member and have also wished the injured members a speedy recovery in hospital.”
Police spokesperson, Captain Olebogeng Tawana, yesterday confirmed that they were investigating a case of culpable homicide following the incident, but added that the cause of the accident was still unknown.