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Death toll in KZN bus crash rises to 9, preliminary cause of crash revealed

Jolene Marriah-Maharaj|Published

IOL Nine people have died following a bus crash on the KZN North Coast, with ongoing investigations into the cause. Picture: IPSS Medical Rescue

Image: Picture: IPSS Medical Rescue

The death toll in the bus crash that took place on the KZN North Coast on Sunday afternoon has risen to nine. 

The 82-seater bus carrying churchgoers crashed on the N2 between Richards Bay and Shaka’s Kraal at around 4 pm.

The crash involved a passenger bus from Pontys Transport in Tongaat.

According to the Road Traffic Management Corporation, preliminary reports suggest that the crash happened due to a tyre failure, causing the driver to lose control.

RTMC spokesperson Simon Zwane said "The bus subsequently went through a crash barrier, plunged down an embankment, and overturned."

The accident claimed the lives of six women, one man, and a four-year-old toddler. The details of the ninth person have not been released. 

The KZN Department of Transport said four people sustained serious injuries while 35 people sustained minor injuries.

A total of 12 were uninjured.

Simon Zwane, RTMC said the precise cause of the crash is still subject to an ongoing investigation.

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