N8 Crash Death Toll Rises To 11 In Free State As Survivors Share Harrowing Accounts

The tragic crash on the N8 between Botshabelo and Bloemfontein has claimed its 11th life, following the death of a patient in Pelonomi Hospital’s ICU on Monday. The accident, involving a bus and a truck, initially left ten people dead at the scene.

MEC for Health in the Free State, Monyatso Mahlatsi, visited survivors at Pelonomi Hospital, offering support as the community grapples with the aftermath. Families of the initial victims identified their loved ones at the government mortuary, overwhelmed by grief.

Survivors of the collision described the horrific experience, with some left permanently injured. Many were commuting to work and consider themselves fortunate to have survived.

Survivors Share Harrowing Experiences After N8 Collision

Nozipho Dlati, who survived the crash, recounted her trauma, “I feel like God protected me and I’m blessed even though I’m in pain… This crash is always on my mind; I can’t sleep at night. I have flashbacks of people who lost their lives. It’s bad, I feel like being given sleeping pills so that I can sleep.”

Another survivor, Polelo Mahloane, who lost a leg in the incident, described the moments before the crash, “I was sitting at the front and when I realised that the bus was going to hit the truck, I ran back.

“Emotionally, I am fine. It’s just the pain. I’ve accepted what happened, that’s it. So I will deal with this life of not having my leg. The most important thing is I’m alive, that’s the important thing.”

Authorities have confirmed that both vehicles were travelling in the same direction at the time of the collision, though the investigation is ongoing.

Health Authorities Respond to Rising Toll and Survivor Care

The Free State Health Department expressed relief over the swift medical response despite the severity of injuries. MEC Mahlatsi commented, “I’m really shattered about the number and the state of accidents that happened over the past weekend.

“Firstly, the lives that have been lost in the accident that happened on the N8… May the soul of that departed rest in peace. But I’m relieved at the same time that we have been able to give the required assistance on demand to all the clients who came here.

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“All the clients were required theatre time; all of them received theatre time and all the required medical interventions were done. And as we speak now, quite a number of them have been discharged.”

Emotions ran high at the government mortuary as families identified the bodies of their loved ones. Tragically, another N8 collision claimed three more lives on Monday morning.

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