Johannesburg - Numerous Metrobus passengers, including the driver of the bus, sustained injuries in a serious multiple vehicle accident.
On Wednesday afternoon, a City of Johannesburg (CoJ) metrobus was involved in a multiple vehicle accident along Edenvale Road, off the N12 East, at about 5:22pm while the bus was en route to Johannesburg's inner city from Isando.
“It is suspected the truck was from N12 west off ramping to Edenvale when its brakes failed and collided with several vehicles before crashing to a fully loaded CoJ Metrobus and pushing it across the road,” the Ekurhuleni Disaster & Emergency Management Services (DEMS)
Several commuters were injured in the accident, with four critically injured passengers being airlifted and two transported by ambulance.
DEMS further confirmed that 53 people were treated on the scene, while 30 with moderate injuries were immediately transported to several hospitals across the province, and 17 with minor injuries were also treated and transported. Nine refused to be transported, and another bus was redirected to transport them.
DEMS spokesperson Eric Maloka said the Ekurhuleni Department of Energy was summoned to assist with the affected broken robot and street light, which started to spark because of the exposed live wires. The department temporarily switched off the electricity as fire started to spark from the live wires.
“During the operation, the road had to be temporarily closed in both directions, and road commuters were redirected to alternative roads. No fatalities were recorded on scene. All vehicles, including the truck and the CoJ metro bus, were all towed, and the road was reopened for road commuters,“ Maloka said.
Joburg MMC for Transport Kenny Kunene said that during the last three financial years, Metrobus operated 16 million kilometres without any serious injuries or fatalities.
“I have instructed Metrobus to conduct a thorough investigation of the accident and to ensure that all affected commuters as well as the drivers are afforded all the support that they may require,” Kunene said. The MMC added that more information would be shared following investigations.
“My office remains committed to ensuring safe public transportation in Johannesburg and will continue to ensure that commuters can rely on Metrobus for the provision of safe, efficient, and cost-effective public transport services,” Kunene said.
The cause of the accident is suspected brake failure on the truck, and the local Ekurhuleni metro police will continue the investigation.
“Metrobus wishes all injured patients a speedy recovery and strength for the affected families as they deal with the aftermath of the accident,” said Metrobus spokesperson Goodwill Shivuri.
The Star