Fatal accident claims 10 lives in the Free State

Mapaballo Borotho

Ten people have died and dozens were injured after a bus and truck collided near Botshabelo.
Severe weather may have contributed to the crash.
Motorists are urged to drive carefully due to disruptions and poor conditions.

Ten people have been killed and scores injured in a collision involving a bus and a truck between Bloemfontein and Botshabelo in the Free State in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Seven of those who were injured in the horrific collision are reportedly in a critical condition.

The cause of the accident has not been identified; however, the Free State Road Incident Management Systems Chairperson, Sipho Towa, said the weather conditions likely played a role in the severity of the crash.

“Emergency services transported injured patients to three health facilities across the region. All 10 fatalities were adults, comprising 7 males and 3 females. 30 other individuals sustained injuries ranging from minor to critical,” said Towa.

The accident resulted in significant traffic disruption throughout the day in the area, with most lanes heading to Bloemfontein closed..

Towa urged motorists to exercise caution when commuting in the area due to the on-going road closures and unfavourable weather conditions.