A THREE-YEAR-OLD was killed and 36 others injured after a bus carrying a rugby team, staff, supporters and family members crashed down an embankment in the Wilderness area on Saturday night, 21 May.
ER24 spokesman Ross Campbell said the bus crashed after its brakes allegedly failed.
He said ER24 paramedics, along with other emergency services, arrived at the scene at 6.30pm.
“It’s believed that the bus was travelling back to Wittedrift close to Plettenberg Bay after the team played rugby at NMMU Saasveld, near George.
“They had taken this road through the back of Wilderness to connect to the N2 as the Saasveld road is closed due to flood damage,” Campbell said in a statement.
He said the bus was found down on its side having crashed through a private residence’s deck.
“A three-year-old toddler was unfortunately found to have suffered fatal injuries and declared dead on arrival by Metro EMS. Two men in their 30s were found entrapped in the vehicle and in a critical condition.
“They required Advanced Life Support interventions and their extraction took a long, combined effort led by Metro Rescue,” Campbell added.
He said both men were transported to George Provincial Hospital for further care.
“Thirty-four further men, women and children were also treated on the scene and then transported to the hospital for minor injuries. The South African Police Service were also on the scene for further investigations,” Campbell said.
