At least 16 of the 19 people killed in Monday’s bus accident in Meyerton in the Vaal have been identified. Vaalrand police spokesperson, Captain Shado Mashobane yesterday (Wednesday) said the victims are:
Mantombi Lizzy Baba, Aletta Raditsela, Vicky Bhanya, Isaac Nkululeko Mphosi, Maxwell Solomon Tsekahadi, Mapaseka Martha Moreki, Ishmael Khabi (driver), Lydia Nkatha, Gladis Gogo Mapisa, Jane Thibatsane, Alice Mamokete Sikhosana, Mokgobo Annah Thulo, Lydia Chompi Lekgae, Mojalefa Gift Malebese, Elisa Mosoetsa and Rebecca Mosoetsa.
The accident occurred in the morning when the driver of the Putco bus lost control of the vehicle on the R59 en route to Meyerton and took the souls of 19 people and left 55 injured. The bus crashed through a bridge railing before plummeting 10m to the ground, landing on its side.
Two people were airlifted to Chris Hani-Baragwanath Academic hospital while others were transported to Natal Spruit Hospital in East Rand, Sebokeng and Kopanong Hospitals in the Vaal. Four people were found trapped there. One was in a critical condition and on a life-support machine while another suffered from memory loss.
Passengers with minor injuries have been discharged from hospital. Other three of the survivors were in intensive care at the time of this writing. Sedibeng mayoral spokesperson, Dan Manoeli said the executive mayors of Sedibeng and Emfuleni Mahole Simon “Sy” Mofokeng and Greta Nomahlozi Hlongwane visited the victims at hospital.
