One passenger still in hospital after accident
MBOMBELA - One patient is still in hospital while others were discharged on the same day, August 4, when a Buscor passenger bus overturned on the Lydenburg Road (R37).
The accident occurred at the traffic circle on the R37 when the bus, ferrying 60 passengers from Mataffin to Riverside, overturned. Lowvelder is in possession of video footage that captured how commuters, after the accident, scrambled to get out of the bus through its windows.
The executive chairperson of Buscor, Nora Fakude, said they are currently busy with their investigation into the accident before they can take a decision. “The process will take some time. We still need to check with the tracking company regarding the speed the driver was driving, the internal cameras and also with some of the passengers before we can determine what caused the accident. The driver was given leave, but he has since returned to work,” she said.
Fakude added that the bus was in good condition because Buscor buses are regularly serviced. The driver also went through all company testing processes and has a good driving record. “At this stage we suspect human error might have caused the accident. But our investigation will determine that. I also want to assure our commuters that our buses are safe to use and wish apologise to those who went through this trauma. We are grateful there were no fatalities.”
Moeti Mmusi, the spokesperson for the Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison, said they wished a speedy recovery to the passenger who is still in hospital. He also cautioned motorists, especially those ferrying passengers, to always be cautious on the road. “It was unfortunate that the 60 people could have lost their lives. However, as a department, we are happy that there were no fatalities. The fact that the accident happened on one of our roads is regrettable.”