Seventeen people were killed, while eight others escaped with multiple injuries, in a road accident involving a 22-seater bus and a Toyota SUV on the N1 near Mookgophong off-ramp in Limpopo on Tuesday night.
Transport authorities in Limpopo said it is alleged that the driver of the Toyota SUV lost control of the vehicle due to a burst tyre and collided head-on with the 22-seater bus.
“The bus burst into flames and 17 occupants trapped inside, including the driver were burnt to death. The driver of the SUV was also killed on impact. Eight people survived, six are seriously injured and two escaped with minor injuries,” said Limpopo Transport and Community Safety spokesperson Mike Maringa.
Meanwhile, Limpopo Transport and Community Safety MEC Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya has sent condolence messages to the families of affected persons and wished speedy recovery to the survivors.
Lerule-Ramakhanya implored motorists to inspect their vehicles before they embark on road trips.
She said: “concern that most of the fatal accidents reported on the N1 have a common cause”.
Last month, as traffic intensified massively on South Africa’s freeways on Christmas eve, at least five people were killed and two others critically wounded in a head-on collision on the N1 south near Middelfontein in Limpopo’s Waterburg District.
Lerule-Ramakhanya was at the scene and confirmed the horrific crash which caused the N1 to be closed between the Kranskop Toll Plaza and Middelfontein.
“It is alleged that a Toyota SUV got a tyre burst and collided head-on with oncoming Mini Cooper and a Hyundai SUV. Four people were killed instantly on impact and the fifth died on the way to the hospital,” said Lerule-Ramakhanya at the time.
“Four of the deceased were in the (Toyota) Avanza and the fifth victim was in the Mini Cooper.”