Five Killed As Bus Travelling To Zimbabwe Overturns in Limpopo

The death toll from a bus crash on the N1 outside Louis Trichardt in Limpopo on Thursday has risen to five. Four people were pronounced dead at the scene, while a fifth later died in hospital.

The bus is travelling from Gauteng to Zimbabwe. It is not yet clear whether all those on board were headed to Zimbabwe.

Preliminary investigations by the Department of Transport suggest the bus lost control while navigating a curvy mountain pass in the early hours of the morning and rolled down an embankment.

Passengers with injuries ranging from minor to serious were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.

The road remained closed for much of the day while the bus, owned by Interlink Coaches and carrying around 40 passengers, was recovered from the bottom of the slope.

Interlink Coaches spokesperson Poscent Ndlovu said the bus was roadworthy. He said:

“I’m 100% sure that it was roadworthy…the guy who hired the bus was going to Sasol garage in Musina, and from Sasol garage, he was going to proceed with the bus to Zimbabwe.”

Violet Mathye, the MEC for Transport, visited the scene and said speeding may have been a factor.

She expressed concern over the loss of life and urged all motorists, especially public transport drivers, to slow down and drive responsibly.

A full report will be released once investigations are complete.

More: SABC News