Africa-Press – South-Africa. The Cape Town bus company tasked with transporting more than 50 churchgoers from St Aidan’s Church in Lansdowne to the Southern Cape, says its driver was injured and still in shock after a deadly accident that saw four female passengers die on the scene with scores of others injured, on the N2 highway near Swellendam on Friday afternoon.
Enrico Lucas from the HG Travelling bus service said the trip had started on Monday when the group left Cape Town for the Carmel Holiday Resort in George, before starting the return journey back to Cape Town on Friday.
Lucas said the company was in constant contact with the church’s tour organiser.
“The driver is an experienced, mature driver who was with the members throughout the trip,” he added, saying that he engaged with them daily and was included in the many daily activities planned by members.
“He also suffered injuries and is recovering at home with injuries to his wrist and collar bone,” Lucas added.
According to Lucas, it was not the first time that the church had used their bus travelling services. He added that their bus, was 100% roadworthy and all licences and professional driving permits (PDP) were checked and up to date.
Lucas said:
He wished those injured a speedy recovery.
Southern Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Chris Spies said Swellendam police are probing a culpable homicide docket after the four women were declared dead by medical services.
“Investigations into the accident revealed a passenger bus with 53 occupants on board was en route from George to Cape Town when the vehicle overturned. Four occupants, all women… were declared dead by paramedics on the scene. All other injured were taken to hospital for further medical care,” Spies added.
Police said the investigation is at an early stage, and the cause of the accident is yet to be established.
More information would become available as the investigation unfolds and the investigation continues, Spies added.
Ismail’s Towing company said when they arrived at the scene to tow the bus away, people were standing in shock at what had transpired.
The bus is currently at the repair shop to determine the extent of the damage.
“It is unknown at this stage if the bus is a write-off or can be repaired. We will possibly know during the week what led to the bus leaving the road, ” said Nizam Kariem, spokesperson of the towing company.
Western Cape Government Health and Wellness spokesperson Maret Lesch said all patients who were transferred to Caledon Hospital had been discharged.
Lesch added:
She also said that one patient was admitted to George Hospital but has since been transferred to a private hospital.
“One patient was stabilised at Worcester Hospital and transferred to Tygerberg Hospital for further care. One patient is in stable condition in Groote Schuur Hospital. Only one patient remains in Tygerberg Hospital and is in stable condition,” added Lesch.
News24 contacted family members of the crash victims, but no response had been received at the time of publication.
Western Cape Health MEC Nomafrench Mbombo said Eskom had exempted Swellendam Hospital from the load shedding schedule.
“This will greatly assist the facility in ensuring round-the-clock, lifesaving services. I am grateful for the dedication and commitment of our healthcare professionals.
“We will monitor this situation closely and provide updates as they are confirmed,” Mbombo added.
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