CITY OF TSHWANE FIREFIGHTERS RESPOND TO A BUS ACCIDENT ON THE N1 HIGHWAY NEAR MAUWANE, PRETORIA NORTH

Bus-and-a-truck-collision incident on the N1 Northbound near Maubane, in Pretoria North

By Lindsay Zwelithini Mnguni

ACTING PUBLIC INFORMATION AND LIAISON OFFICER

The City of Tshwane Emergency Services Department responded to bus-and-a-truck-collision incident on the N1 Northbound near Maubane, in Pretoria North, about ten kilometres from the Carousel Toll Plaza, on the morning of Monday, 24 March 2025.

The collision incident was reported to the Emergency Communication Centre at about 07:09, and firefighting resources were immediately dispatched from Temba Fire Station, Wonderboom Fire Station and Rosslyn Fire Station to the scene.

These included two fire engines, a water carrier, a water tanker, a rapid intervention unit, a video unit and a district commander’s unit.

Upon arrival, firefighters found out that a bus carrying multiple passengers, and a diesel tanker truck with only one occupant, were involved in a collision and both vehicles were fully involved in fire.

The diesel tanker was empty, and firefighters immediately began with firefighting operations. They helped to extinguish the fire on both vehicles that were extensively damaged because of the collision.

Firefighters from Bela-Bela Local Municipality Fire Brigade Services were also on the scene with a fire engine and a rapid intervention unit and they assisted with firefighting and other incident operations.

A total of 118 patients (including 117 from the bus; and one from the diesel tanker truck) were affected by the crash but there were no entrapments.

Sadly however, four patients suffered fatal injuries when the collision occurred. The other surviving patients were triaged as follows:

•One patient was critically injured

•Eight additional others sustained minor to severe injuries.

•The other 104 patients did not sustain any injuries.

Gauteng Emergency Medical Services, Limpopo Emergency Medical Services and other private emergency medical services were on the scene and helped with the treatment and transportation of all injured patients to the nearby Bela-Bela Hospital and Jubilee District Hospital.

The South African Police Service and the National Traffic Police assisted with incident management, including law enforcement and road closure.

The N1 Highway was closed on both carriageways for safety during the various operations.

The cause of the collision has not yet been determined.

To report any fire or rescue incident members of the public are encouraged to call 107 toll-free or alternatively to 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 to do so.