At least 38 people, including several children, were injured, after the bus they were travelling in overturned near the Huguenot Tunnel on the N1 on Saturday morning.
Spokesperson for ER24, Ineke van Huyssen said that paramedics had arrived at the scene, to find the bus lying on its side partially in the yellow lane.
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“A triage area was set up while medics tended to the patients,” she said yesterday. “On closer inspection, 30 patients, including children, sustained injuries ranging from minor to moderate, while eight patients sustained serious injuries.”
“Fortunately, no fatal injuries were found on scene.”
Van Huyssteen added that the bus was travelling in the direction of Paarl.
“The exact circumstances surrounding the incident are not known to our paramedics.” she added.
According to Western Cape Department of Transport and Public Works’ Head of communication, Jandré Bakker, 26 patients, of which only three were seriously injured, were rushed to the Worcester Provincial Hospital.
“[Twelve] other patients were taken to Paarl Provincial Hospital and 17 other people declined further medical assistance,” he said.
Police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg said that the bus carrying Zimbabwean nationals was en route to Cape Town when the incident occurred.
Meanwhile, Provincial MEC of Mobility, Daylin Mitchell, said while he was relieved that there were no fatalities, the public and public transport operators were reminded of their responsibility when transporting human life.
“Public transport will remain a priority to me in the lead-up to the festive season and I am issuing a stern warning to all operators. We will have a zero-tolerance approach to compliance,” Mitchell added.
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