Yet another fatal bus accident occurred on the N1 going through the Soutpansberg mountain in the early hours of Thursday, 19 February.
At the time of going to press, authorities could not confirm how many people had died or been injured after a bus carrying passengers lost control and rolled down an embankment on the N1 just north of Louis Trichardt. The accident occurred near Ingwe Lodge.
Emergency services are on the scene, and multiple fatalities and injuries have been reported.
The MEC for Transport and Community Safety, Violet Mathye, was expected to arrive at the scene at approximately 08:30 to assess the situation and provide support.
Tshifhiwa Dali, the MEC’s media liaison officer, said the bus carrying passengers lost control and rolled down an embankment in the area. “At this stage, the exact cause of the accident remains unknown. However, it is clear that there are multiple fatalities and injuries. A competent authority will confirm the number in due course. The vehicle remains down the embankment, making it difficult to determine the exact number of occupants at the time of the accident,” he said.
Authorities have not confirmed the number of passengers or whether all were travelling to Zimbabwe. The bus remains down the embankment, making it difficult to determine how many people were on board at the time of the crash.
Motorists are urged to use the alternative R523 Nzhelele route until the N1 is reopened. Drivers travelling from Louis Trichardt (Witvlag) should turn right onto the R523; those from Musina should turn left at Wylliespoort; and those from Siloam should turn right onto the R523.
This section of the N1 has previously been the site of bus accidents. Authorities are working to clear the scene, and further updates will be released as more information becomes available.