One dies, 74 hurt in Nanaga bus crash

A YOUNG sportswoman was killed and 74 other schoolchildren injured when the bus they were travelling in crashed near Nanaga late on Thursday night.

Cricketer Vuyelwa Sonqihe, 16, of Zibukwana Senior Secondary School in Mount Frere, was part of a school team travelling to Nelson Mandela Bay when the bus rolled down an embankment at the intersection of the R72 and the N10 at about 10pm.

Police believe the driver lost control at the intersection. It plummeted off the side of the embankment and rolled about 80m.

It is believed Vuyelwa was flung from the bus in the process.

She was already dead by the time emergency workers arrived on the scene.

Education Department spokesman Malibongwe Mtima said the pupils were en route to an u-16 provincial sports championship starting today at Port Elizabeth’s Dan Qeqe Stadium. He said everyone in the bus was from the Alfred Nzo district. They were set to compete against six other districts.

Provincial Traffic and Arrive Alive spokesman Tshepo Machaea said the bus was not overloaded at the time of the accident, but that it was suspected the driver had been speeding.

"It is a privately contracted coach and at the time of the accident it was not overloaded. We do suspect speed was a factor, however.

"The bus will undergo a full inspection to determine whether the cause is linked to a mechanical failure.”

Machaea said provincial traffic officials were on the scene and working with detectives to map the accident.

"Our investigators are going back to the scene with police to try to establish what happened,” he said.

"At this stage we cannot confirm whether the bus was roadworthy as we are still awaiting the preliminary report. Our officials are conducting a thorough investigation.”

Gardmed Ambulance Service medic Riaan Ferreira, who transported some of the pupils to hospital, said about 30 emergency workers, 20 ambulances and several firefighters were on scene shortly after the accident.

"It was a hectic scene. The road was blocked off for hours while everyone ran around treating patients,” he said.

Police spokesman Warrant Officer Dumile Gwavu said the pupils were from the Mount Frere and Mbizana areas. "The children were from four schools in these areas.

"This made it difficult for us to contact their families,” he said.

"A criminal case has been opened against the 56-year-old driver, who was taken to hospital.

"He has not yet been arrested as we are awaiting reports on the bus and also to talk to witnesses.

"Once the detectives have a better idea of what happened, the docket will be taken to the public prosecutor, who will decide whether he should be arrested and charged.”

Yesterday afternoon, Health Department spokesman Sizwe Kupelo said all pupils taken to hospital had been discharged.

A case of culpable homicide is under investigation.

Education Department provincial sports coordinator Mpho Ngoma said the news of the crash had shocked everyone taking part in the championships.

"We were all horrified. I got in my car and rushed there as soon as I heard. Luckily no more pupils were killed – it could have been a lot worse. It looks as if the girl who was killed was crushed by the bus when it rolled,” he said.

"The sporting event is held for u-16s from various schools in the province – all the top district teams for hockey, table tennis, gymnastics, rugby and cricket were competing in the championships.”

By yesterday afternoon, Ngoma said, arrangements had been made for counselling to be given to all the pupils. Transport had also been arranged for the trip back. "They will be leaving within the day. "As a result of the accident a lot of them are shaken up.”

The district provincial championships are scheduled to continue as planned, but with Alfred Nzo district withdrawn from the event.