BLOEMFONTEIN – The driver of the bus in which 10 Zimbabweans tragically died on the N1 in the Free State has been taken into police custody for questioning regarding the circumstances surrounding the fatal crash.

Free State police spokesperson Sergeant Mahlomola Kareli confirmed this and said that the process forms part of the investigation launched into the culpable homicide case. He said the driver was taken into custody yesterday (Friday).

The driver allegedly lost control of the bus, resulting in it overturning about 24 km outside Trompsburg en route to Edenburg on Thursday night at about 21:30. The bus was from Cape Town bound for Zimbabwe, transporting 66 passengers. The deceased include four adult females, one adult male, three girls and two boys.

Their ages and identities are yet to be released. Their bodies were taken to the Free State government mortuary for post-mortem, pending identification by their families and next of kin.

The majority of the survivors were discharged yesterday following treatment for minor injuries at Pelonomi Hospital in Bloemfontein and Alfred Nzula Hospital in Trompsburg. They were transported on another bus to Zimbabwe. Those with severe injuries and in critical condition are still hospitalised for further medical treatment.

Free State Department of Health spokesperson Mondli Mvambi said that of the four patients in critical condition, one was placed on a ventilator and 14 were referred for X-rays. The horrific accident resulted in the closure of the road for several hours as rescue teams cleared the wrecked bus from the scene.

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