Tragic bus accident in Maidstone claims three lives and injures 12
Crashed through the safety barriers
The scene of the accident.
Image: Facebook/Rusa
Tragedy struck early Tuesday morning in Maidstone, when a bus veered off a bridge, resulting in the deaths of three individuals - two men and a woman - and leaving at least 12 others with serious injuries.
The incident happened at around 6.25am when a motorist on Gopalall Hurbans Road witnessed the bus careering off the bridge and crashing through the safety barriers.
Reaction Unit South Africa (Rusa) Tongaat Operations Centre immediately responded. Upon their arrival, first responders discovered the bus lying on its side, about 25 metres below the bridge.
"Officers entered the wreckage and extracted several of the injured. Three people were confirmed to be deceased and several others seriously injured. It cannot be confirmed if there are further entrapments under the bus. Emergency services are on scene and the injured were being attended to. The scene is currently active," said Rusa in a statement.
The accident scene.
Image: Facebook/Rusa
A section of the road has been closed and motorists are urged to use alternate routes.