MURALENI –The horrific collision betweena bus and a train at the railway crossing at Muraleni on Monday has so far claimed ten lives, leaving several passengers seriously injured.

At the railway crossing, the driver of one of Phadziri Bus Service’s buses allegedly ignored the railway crossing sign that warned him to drive with care, reduce speed and to prepare his bus to stop as a speeding train was appraoching. His attempt to cross the line before the train led to a fatal collision. The train did not derail when it crashed into the back of the bus, which overturned.

Eight passengers died instantly, while the others died at the different hospitals. Injured passengers were taken to Elim, Tshilidzini and Louis Trichardt Memorial hospital, while those who were critically injured were airlifted to the provincial hospital in Polokwane.

A task team, comprised of the Makhado Municipality, Spoornet, Phadziri Bus Service, Vhembe District Municipality, Sanco, Cosatu, the Department of Labour, Transport, Emergency Services, the Airforce Base Makhado, and the provincial disaster committee has been established to assist the bereaved families with funeral arrangements as well as give more care to the injured passengers. Since the accident happened, Mayor RS Nkuzana of the Makhado Municipality has been visiting the bereaved, affected families and the injured passengers who are still at the local hospitals.

The MEC for Health, Seaparo Sekoati, the MEC for Transport, Mr Stan Motemele, the Mayor, Cllr RS Nkuzana and the speaker at the Provincial Legislature, Dr Tshenuwani Farisani, visited the five injured who were admitted to the Louis Trichardt Memorial hospital, to wish them a speedy recovery.

At the time of going to press, five injured were still recovering in the Elim Hospital, eight at Tshilidzini and four in the Polokwane Provincial Hospital.

Supt Ailwei Mushavhanamadi, spokesperson of the SAPS in the Vhembe area, said that charges of culpable homicide have been lain against both the train driver and the bus driver. Asked how the police can open a case against the train driver while it was the bus driver who failed to stop at the railway crossing, Mushavhanamadi said that, as part of police investigations into an accident like this, it is the police’s duty to open a culpable homicide for both drivers, as that would make the investigation easier. He also confirmed that the bus driver had been arrested by the police at Ha-Mashamba on Tuesday, and he will appear in the Makhado Magistrate’s Court soon.

On behalf of the Phadziri Bus Service and Associates, Mr John Phadziri told Mirror: “We are still seriously affected and shocked by this horrific collision. For the past 57 years of our existence in the transport industry, this is the worst accident that we have ever experienced. Safety and zero harm to our passengers are and have always been a priority. We have pledged monetary assistance, but we cannot disclose the amount to the media.”

He said that a person has been appointed to assist clients with regard to passenger liability, or third party claims. “As Phadziri Bus Service is part of the disaster committee, which is currently making funeral arrangements, we also want to announce that the company will provide transport to the bereaved families during the funeral. However, we are extending our sincere condolences to the bereaved families, while on the other hand wishing all the injured passengers a speedy recovery,” he said.

To all their clients, Phadziri said that, in and around Makhado, they would still be offering passengers their full support during trying times.

Mr Alex Mavhetha from Maebane, an employee at Total Sport Makhado, who was injured in the accident, said: “The bus was overcrowded, with some people standing and, as I was facing the direction where the train was coming from, it was visible, but the driver didn’t stop at the railway crossing.”

The Director: Corporate Services at the Makhado Municipality, Mr Ntsieni Peter Magwala, said that an operation centre had been established at the local Fire Brigade station for people who want to contribute food parcels to the bereaved families. He said that a disaster fund has been opened at Standard Bank, Makhado, in terms of the Disaster Management Act of 2002 and it would be valid only for three months. The account holder is Makhado Standard Bank and the number is 3301 95166, with a branch code 05254940 “There will be a memorial service next week Thursday in a venue yet to be announced. As the Municipality, we have already distributed food parcels to the bereaved families. We have been burdened by this fatal accident, but we would like to pass our condolences to the bereaved families,” he said.

Magwala who also wished injured passengers a quick recovery. Most of the deceased are from Maebane, Midoroni and Ha-Makhitha villages.