TOUWS RIVER, WESTERN CAPE — A deadly bus rollover near Touws River on the N1 highway has claimed 16 lives and left dozens hospitalized after a vehicle carrying holidaymakers to the Eastern Cape swerved to avoid a collision.
The fatal incident unfolded just before 1:00 AM. Western Cape Provincial Traffic Chief Maxine Bezuidenhout confirmed the grim details, noting that the bus was transporting 73 South African passengers who were traveling from Cape Town. As the vehicle approached the Touws River area, the driver reportedly took evasive action to avoid another car emerging from a side road, which ultimately caused the heavy bus to overturn.
The crash resulted in devastating casualties, with 16 passengers losing their lives. Bezuidenhout detailed that the bus driver sustained serious injuries and is currently receiving medical treatment at a hospital. Approximately 30 additional passengers were also hospitalized due to injuries sustained in the crash. While some survivors were present at the scene, the sheer trauma of the event left many unable to speak with authorities or the media immediately following the tragedy.
The overturned vehicle came to rest off the main carriageway, allowing traffic to flow on the N1, though officials warned of periodic closures to facilitate the recovery process. Bezuidenhout explained that Badela Trans, the company operating the bus, has been notified and is dispatching a tow truck to handle the removal of the wreckage.
As emergency and recovery operations continue at the site, the South African Police Service (SAPS) has launched a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deadly rollover.