A case of culpable homicide is being investigated after three people died on the N7 at Vissershok on Thursday morning (3 February) when a bus collided with a bakkie in the direction of Cape Town, before the Dunoon bridge.
According to witnesses on the scene, a VW Polo drove into the back of the bakkie, driving in the direction of Malmesbury.
The driver of the bakkie lost control and veered into the lane on the opposite side. An oncoming bus with passengers from Malmesbury could not avoid colliding with the vehicle.
This stretch of road, the turnoff from the N7 to Durbanville, is notorious for accidents.
The provincial health department’s emergency medical services (EMS) responded to the accident and dispatched four ambulances and two rescue vehicles at 05:46.
“Forensic pathology services officials were also on the scene. The incident involved 14 males and 18 females. Unfortunately, three females sustained fatal injuries and the rest of the patients sustained minor injuries,” said Deanna February, principal communications officer.
ER24’s spokesperson Russel Meiring said approximately 30 passengers were injured when the bus and bakkie collided.
ER24, Life Healthcare, Metro EMS and Rescue, Western Cape Fire and other services arrived at 06:00 on the scene to find the bus in the road with a bakkie smashed partially beneath it. Numerous people from the bus were seen walking around the scene, Meiring said.
“Medics found at least two men lying trapped inside the bakkie. Unfortunately, the men had already succumbed to their numerous injuries. At least 30 other patients were tended to on the scene. Assessments showed that their injuries ranged from minor to moderate. The patients were treated and thereafter transported to nearby hospitals,” Meiring said.
The patients were transported to New Somerset Hospital, Du Noon CHC, Westfleur Hospital and Blaauwberg Netcare Hospital. The bodies of the deceased were taken to Salt River Mortuary.
The road was also blocked off due to the accident, but was later reopened.
Table View police spokesperson Capt Adriana Chandler said the driver of the Polo was transported to hospital before police arrived on the scene. A case of culpable homicide is currently being investigated.
