A tragic accident between a truck and a bus on the N6 in the Free State has caused a significant loss of life, with the death toll rising to ten. The incident occurred between Reddersburg and Smithfield in the early hours of the morning, prompting an urgent response from the local emergency services.
According to Sipho Towa, a spokesperson for Free State Emergency Medical Services (EMS), the call for assistance came through at approximately 3:50 a.m. Upon their arrival at the scene, emergency personnel discovered a severe side head-on collision, which trapped several passengers inside the bus.
“At the present moment, 23 passengers are reported to be slightly injured, while seven are in critical condition,” Towa explained. “There are still passengers that are trapped, and emergency services continue to extract them and attend to the injured.” The critically injured patients are being transported to hospitals in nearby Bloemfontein and Springfield.
The impact of the collision has led to the closure of the N6, resulting in traffic being diverted as rescue operations continue. The scene remains active as emergency teams work tirelessly to ensure the safe removal of all individuals affected by the crash.
As the investigation into the cause of the incident unfolds, the Free State community grapples with the tragic loss of life. Authorities have not yet disclosed the identities of the victims, but this heartbreaking event serves as a stark reminder of the dangers present on the roads.