Cape Town – Transport Miniser Dipuo Peters expressed shock and sadness following a bus crash in Warden in the Free State on Friday, which claimed the lives of two children.
The bus caught alight at about 2.05pm while transporting 22 children on the N3 near Warden, the transport department said in a statement.
Preliminary information available to the department indicated that the bus caught alight and burst into flames before crashing into an embarkment.
“The driver sustained 40 percent second degree burns and, unconsciously, he jumped out of the bus leaving it unattended.
“One child sustained first degree burns while four sustained minor injuries. It is also alleged that two kids between the ages of two and four years could not escape and suffered fatal injures. Some of the kids were taken to hospital for shock treatment and smoke inhalation,” the statement said.
A team of accident investigation and reconstruction specialists from the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) had been sent to the scene, as well as members of the SA Police Service and emergency medical rescue service.
Peters called on law all enforcement agencies working on the investigations to leave no stone unturned in determing the cause of the blaze.
“Only today (Friday) we officially opened the 2nd Annual National Road Safety Summit in Cape Town and a horrific incident such as this happens.
“The purpose of this summit is precisely to find real and lasting solutions to the carnage we see on our roads. We are shocked and deeply saddened by this tragic occurrence. Our deep felt condolences go to the families and friends of the deceased and injured children. We wish those that are injured a speedy recovery as law enforcement agencies dig to the bottom of the occurrence,” Peters said.
“Together, motorists, passengers, and pedestrians, we can put a stop to this. If we all work together and obey all the rules of the road, without exception, we can stop this carnage on our roads. We all need to be extremely vigilant and cautious at all times on the road,” she said.
African News Agency