Karoo horror bus crash: Child among 4 people in critical condition

2018-08-30 16:58
The scene of the accident (Supplied, Kenny Africa)

The scene of the accident (Supplied, Kenny Africa)

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Four people, including a child, are still in a critical condition following the bus accident that claimed 10 lives on the R61 in the Western Cape on Thursday morning, the provincial health department said.

The accident took place at 02:15 about 25km outside Beaufort West.

Department spokesperson Nadia Ferreira told News24 that nine people died at the scene of the crash while one died after being admitted at the Beaufort West provincial hospital.

"Thirty-three patients were treated at Beaufort West provincial hospital of which four are in a critical condition," Ferreira said.

She added that, out of the four critically-injured people, two were airlifted to George Hospital, one was taken to a private facility in George and the child was expected to be transferred, either to Red Cross or George Hospital.

"Five more seriously-injured patients are currently admitted at Beaufort West provincial hospital awaiting road or fixed-wing air transfers," she said.

Western Cape traffic chief Kenny Africa earlier said six men, three women and one boy, aged between 7 and 8 years, died in the accident.

Africa said the driver had lost control of the bus, resulting in the "gruesome" accident.

The bus had been travelling from Cape Town in the direction of Beaufort West.