WATCH: Speeding Bus Causes Major Crash in Berea, Dozens Injured
A speeding bus lost control on Rick Turner Road, hit a bakkie, and pushed it straight through a wall — injuring 23 people in the process.
Less than three weeks after a resident raised concerns about speeding buses on Rick Turner Road, in a letter to Campus Buses management, a serious accident has shaken the community of Berea.
On Monday afternoon, a bus carrying university students lost control and crashed into another vehicle, leaving 23 people injured.
Witnesses reported that the bus was travelling at a high speed and failed to stop in time, colliding with a VW sedan in front of it.
The impact pushed the car into the boundary wall of a nearby property, causing the wall to collapse.
@caxtonlocalmedia 23 people injured after a speeding bus lost control on Rick Turner Road and crashed into a bakkie, pushing it through a boundary wall. Residents say they warned about this weeks ago. #BereaMail #CaxtonDurban #RickTurnerRoad #CampusBusCrash #DurbanNews
Andrew Smith, the owner of the property where the accident occurred, said neither he nor his sister was home at the time.
“I was out picking up my son from school,” Smith explained. “Neighbours called to let me know that a bus and another vehicle had crashed into my wall.”
“I’m just grateful no one was home when it happened.”
Umbilo CPF chairperson, Calvin Thomas, confirmed that both the bus driver and the driver of the bakkie were injured, along with several students who were passengers in the bus.
Multiple complaints submitted to bus company
“We’ve written to the bus company multiple times to report speeding along this road,” said Thomas.
“The most recent complaint was submitted by a resident on July 24.” He urged authorities to implement speed-calming measures in the area.
“The speed limit here is 60km/h, but most drivers exceed that,” he added. “We’ve requested interventions to curb speeding, but those requests were denied.”
“This is a busy road, and something must be done before more people are hurt.”
According to ALS Paramedics, 23 people – including students – sustained injuries ranging from minor to serious.
“They were transported to various hospitals across eThekwini,” said ALS spokesperson Garrith Jamieson.
According to Berea Mail, at 16:00, the road remained closed to traffic.
