Death toll in R21 bus accident increases, cause revealed

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The death toll in the bus accident that occurred on the R21 near OR Tambo International Airport in Ekurhuleni has increased to 16.

Initially, 12 people were declared deceased on scene when the accident happened on Tuesday morning, 11 March.

16 KILLED FOLLOWING BUS ACCIDENT ON R21

Earlier on Tuesday, the City of Ekurhuleni said 12 people died in the crash and 45 people were injured and were then transported to OR Tambo, Thembisa and Edenvale Hospitals.

As a result, the R21 northbound near the airport was closed to traffic as emergency services and police combed the scene.

MMC for Roads and Transport Planning in Ekurhuleni Andile Mngwevu said they are lost for words and sent condolences to the families of the deceased. He also wished for a speedy recovery for those in hospitals.

“To see so many bodies lying around is quite saddening, and the city feels for the families who would have expected to see their loved ones return home later today. Our hearts are extremely heavy,” Mngwevu said.

Further, Mngwevu said they will leave no stone unturned to get to the bottom of the cause of the accident.

Emergency services personnel at the scene on R21 where a bus accident claimed the lives of 16 people. Image: X/RTMC

Meanwhile, preliminary investigations have revealed that the bus swerved to avoid colliding with another vehicle on the R21.

Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) spokesperson Simon Zwane told the SABC that the bus was travelling on this route towards Kempton Park, following another vehicle and that the light motor vehicle missed it’s turn towards the OR Tambo Airport and applied brakes.

“The bus driver also followed and applied brakes and that resulted in this crash and now we have 16 people who have now died and we are still going to investigate everything,” Zwane explained.