A routine Tuesday morning turned into a nightmare in Tongaat, KwaZulu-Natal, after a fully-loaded bus plunged off a bridge on the R102 near Maidstone Sugar Mill. The crash, which happened shortly after dawn, claimed the lives of three passengers and left dozens more injured.
Emergency response teams rushed to the scene and were met with a harrowing sight — twisted metal, injured commuters, and the somber reality of lives lost. IPSS Medical Rescue confirmed that three people had died at the scene, while twelve others sustained serious injuries. Several more suffered minor wounds and are receiving medical care.
Firefighters worked tirelessly to free one of the critically injured passengers trapped inside the wreckage. Samantha Meyrick, spokesperson for IPSS, noted that the number of injured is still being assessed as rescue operations continue.
The R102 has been closed to traffic as authorities work to clear the scene and investigate what caused the bus to veer off the bridge. The road closure has added to traffic congestion in the area, but emergency services have urged drivers to be patient and seek alternate routes.
As families await news of their loved ones, the community has been left in shock, grappling with the sudden loss and injuries from this tragic accident. More updates will follow as detailsMy emerge.