A bus carrying a rugby team, staff, supporters, and family members has crashed down an embankment in the Wilderness area, killing a 3-year-old toddler, critically injuring two men, and injuring 34 others after its brakes allegedly failed last night.
ER24 paramedics were on the scene at 18:30 during load shedding along with the Fire Department, Metro Rescue, Metro EMS, and two other private Emergency Medical Services. It is believed that the bus was traveling back to Wittedrift close to Plettenberg Bay after playing rugby at NMMU Saasveld, near George. They had apparently taken this road through the back of the Wilderness to connect to the N2 as the Saasveld road is closed due to flood damage.
The bus was found down an embankment at about an 80-degree angle on its side having crashed through a private residence's deck. A 3-year-old toddler was unfortunately found to have suffered fatal injuries and was declared dead on arrival by Metro EMS. Two men in their 30s were found entrapped in the vehicle and in critical condition. They required Advanced Life Support interventions and their extraction took a long, combined effort led by Metro Rescue. ER24 transported them both through to George Provincial Hospital for further care.
Thirty-four further men, women, and children also were treated and transported to the hospital for minor injuries by all services on the scene. The South African Police Services were also on the scene for further investigations.