POLOKWANE, South Africa – Ten people, all believed to be Zimbabwean nationals, were killed early Friday after an Intercape bus left the road, went down an embankment before landing on its side near Polokwane in South Africa.
The bus was south-bound on the N1 highway coming from Harare and headed for Johannesburg.
Limpopo’s Department of Roads and Transport said 26 others had been injured in the crash.
“Nine people have been seriously injured and seventeen others have minor injuries,” said spokesman, Matome Moremi Tawuyatswala.
The accident happened near the Caltex service station as the bus was leaving Polokwane, said Tawuyatswala.
ER24 spokesperson Russel Meiring said ER24 paramedics, along with several other services, arrived on the scene to find the bus lying on its side. Several people were found lying scattered around the bus.
“Paramedics immediately set up a triage area and began to secure the scene. Upon assessment, paramedics discovered that ten people had sustained numerous, fatal injuries. Nothing could be done for them and they were declared dead on the scene,” he said.
Meiring said paramedics treated the survivors and provided the critically injured with advanced life support interventions.
“Once treated, the patients were transported to various hospitals for urgent treatment. The details surrounding this incident are not yet known but local authorities were on the scene for further investigations,” he added.-ZIMLIVE
