By Lindsay Zwelithini Mnguni
Acting public information and liasion officer
The City of Tshwane Emergency Services Department responded to a second bus accident to happen in three days.
This latest bus accident occurred when a bus carrying multiple passengers was involved in a collision with a heavy-duty truck on the Moloto Road (R573), in De Wagensdrift near KwaMhlanga, on the morning of Wednesday, 5 February 2025.
The bus accident was reported to our Emergency Communication Centre (ECC) at about 07:10.
The ECC then immediately dispatched firefighting resources from Rayton Fire Station, Bronkhorstspruit Fire Station and Silverton Fire Station to the scene.
These included a rapid intervention unit, two bush pumpers and a district commander’s unit. An additional team of firefighters was also dispatched by the neighbouring Thembisile Hani Local Municipality Fire and Rescue Services to the scene, and they assisted with the rescue of the patients and other duties.
On arrival the firefighters found out that both drivers were in critical condition and were being treated by the emergency medical care practitioners.
A total of 16 patients (inclusive of the two drivers) had suffered injuries ranging from minor to critical and they were transported by the different services that were on the scene, to KwaMhlanga Hospital, Netcare Montana Hospital and Mamelodi Regional Hospital for further medical treatment and observation.
The Tshwane Metro Police Department, Gauteng Province Emergency Medical Services, Mpumalanga Province Emergency Medical Services, the South African Police Service and several other role-players were on the scene and assisted with incident management.
The road was closed for a brief period during the rescue operations and while the bus and truck were being recovered.
There were spillages of oil and diesel because of the accident and the processes for the cleaning of the road surface were done to ensure the safety of the road users.
The Tshwane Emergency Services Department would like to encourage motorists (and other road users) to be cautious when driving or travelling on our roads to prevent similar incidents from occurring.
The cause of the accident has not yet been determined.
To report any fire or rescue incident, please call 107 toll-free or alternatively call 012 358 6300/6400.
When reporting an emergency, please remain calm, speak clearly, know where you are to give the correct address, and give your correct contact number to allow the operator to phone you back should they require doing so.