Limpopo Repatriation Bus Crash: “Driver Fell Asleep Before Fatal N1 Accident”

A survivor of the fatal bus crash on the N1 near Musina has claimed the driver fell asleep shortly before the vehicle veered off the road, killing the driver and injuring 11 passengers.

The bus was transporting Malawian nationals from Pietermaritzburg to Malawi when it crashed after reportedly leaving the roadway and plunging off a small bridge. Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Limpopo Bus Crash Survivor Claims Driver Fell Asleep

A man who identified himself as the assistant driver said the driver appeared exhausted before the crash.

According to his account, a police officer had earlier woken the driver and instructed him to continue to Musina so passengers could be registered and fingerprinted.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Seven Homes Burnt As Migration Tensions Escalate In Ekurhuleni Informal Settlement

“The driver was sleeping, and a police officer woke him up. He told the driver to go to Musina to register and take the fingerprints of the passengers. When the driver started the bus, he was already exhausted and failed to control the bus.”

The claim has not been independently verified, and officials have not confirmed the cause of the crash.

Musina Crash Leaves Personal Belongings Scattered Across Scene

The impact left passengers’ belongings strewn across the crash site, including clothing, food, power banks and other personal items.

Among the debris were what appeared to be an infant’s shoes, a pacifier and a baby bottle, indicating that young children were travelling on the bus at the time of the crash.

The driver died at the scene, while 11 passengers sustained injuries.

Passengers Prayed As Bus Lost Control

The assistant driver said he realised something was wrong moments before the bus left the road.

He recalled warning others as passengers reacted with fear.

“I shouted and even the passengers heard me. Some of them started praying before the bus fell into this ditch.”

He added that the journey was the bus’s second trip transporting passengers from South Africa to Malawi.

Authorities are expected to continue investigating the cause of the crash.