37 hurt in Jhb bus accident
2008-12-31 16:32
Johannesburg - Thirty seven people, including five children, were injured in a bus accident in Soweto, Johannesburg emergency services said on Wednesday.
Spokesperson Percy Morokane said a Putco bus was part of a funeral procession driving from Zone 10 in Meadowlands to Avalon cemetery at 11:00 with more than 60 passengers aboard.
"Preliminary investigations indicate that the driver, aged 39, was speeding and the bus went out of control."
A tree was uprooted as the bus crashed at the intersection of Khumalo and Roodepoort roads.
Thirty seven people sustained chest injuries, including the female driver and five children ranging in age from one to 12.
Six of the injured were in a critical condition. The rest of the passengers sustained minor injuries.
Sixteen ambulances were called to the scene. City Parks was also called to remove the tree which ended up in the middle of the road.
Morokane said the intersection where the bus crashed was a very busy one and a major taxi route.
Traffic was still affected by Wednesday afternoon and Morokane advised motorists to use other routes.
- SAPA