All survivors pulled from Tongaat bus wreckage

All survivors pulled from Tongaat bus wreckage

Paramedics have confirmed that all survivors of a bus crash in Tongaat have been pulled from the wreckage and are on their way to the hospital. 

All survivors pulled from Tongaat bus wreckage
IPSS Medical Rescue

Emergency teams have been working for hours to retrieve passengers from the bottom of the Tongaat River Bridge.


Their bus plunged from the top of the R102 early Tuesday morning. 


Three people lost their lives, and 12 were injured.


"On arrival at the scene, there was a 30-seater bus that appeared to have lost control and gone over the side of the bridge through the railings into the river," IPSS Medical Rescue's Dylan Meyrick said.


"Fortunately, not into the water, and casualties were lying all over the place."


Meyrick said they set up a rope and pulley system to rescue the survivors.


"For the last two hours, we've been busy triaging and extricating patients. Our rope system was set up by search and rescue to hold patients up onto the bridge," he said.


"Some patients, the walking wounded were assisted and carried around back onto the road by foot. Fortunately, all patients have been extricated and are on their way to hospital for further treatment. So, the bus lying on its side, it's difficult to see what the damage is.


"Obviously, it's very serious. We are waiting for a breakdown that will bring it back up to road level as soon as the deceased have been taken out," he added.


The RTI's Sindy Msimang said the road was closed to allow officials to work on the scene.


"The road is currently closed in that vicinity so that the emergency services can do the work and for safety as well," said Msimang.


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