Africa-Press – South-Africa. Thirty-eight people, including several children, have been injured after the bus they were travelling in overturned on the N1 Highway near the Huguenot Tunnel in Rawsonville.
The Western Cape Department of Transport and Public Works’ Head of Communications, Jandré Bakker, said that 26 patients, of which only three were seriously injured, were rushed to the Worcester Provincial Hospital.
“[Twelve] other patients were taken to Paarl Provincial Hospital and 17 other people declined further medical assistance,” he said.
ER24 paramedics say that when they arrived at the scene, they found the bus lying on its side, partially in the yellow lane.
“A triage area was set up while medics tended to the patients. On closer inspection, 30 patients sustained injuries ranging from minor to moderate, while eight patients sustained serious injuries.”
ER24, Metro EMS and various other medical services at the scene treated the patients before transporting them to hospital for further medical care.
Bakker added that luckily there were no fatalities,” he said.
Provincial MEC of Mobility, Daylin Mitchell, said while he is relieved that there were no fatalities, he wishes to remind the public and public transport operators of the big responsibility they have when transporting human life.
“Public transport will remain a priority to me in the lead-up to the festive season and I am issuing a stern warning to all operators. We will have a zero-tolerance approach to compliance,” Mitchell added.
The left lane direction to the tunnel was closed for traffic while the right lane remained open.
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