Metro sets up disaster centre to assist families of fatal bus accident victims
Families of bus victims that were involved in a horrific accident that claimed 11 lives of Ekurhuleni residents now have a central place to receive information concerning their loved ones.
The bus were carrying passengers who attended the ANC manifesto in Port Elizabeth over the weekend.
The City of Ekurhuleni has established a Joint Operation Centre (JOC) to coordinate information regarding the accident.
The bus, carrying ANC supporters from Ekurhuleni, was travelling from Port Elizabeth to Ekurhuleni when it overturned on the N1 highway between Ventersburg and Winsburg.
The JOC is based at Palm Ridge Fire Station which is closer to Vosloorus and Katlehong where the passengers come from.
Family members can visit the JOC or phone on 011 999 3796 to check the list of people that were on the bus.
“The JOC stands ready to provide up to date information on the status of all passengers involved in the fatal accident including those that are still hospitalised in the Free State, and the patients that were transferred to our local hospitals.
“We are happy that a bus carrying 27 patients with minor injuries arrived just after midnight.
“These patients were allowed to go home after observation,” Member of the Mayoral Committee on Community Safety, Clr Vivian Chauke said.
The metro has chaplains and counsellors on standby to assist family members through this trauma.
The Mayor of Ekurhuleni Clr Mondli Gungubele visited the accident scene and the accident survivors at various hospitals on Sunday.
Gungubele passed his condolences to the families of the deceased and wishes the survivors a speedy recovery.
Gungubele has expressed shock at the bus accident.
“There is no way to describe how I feel right now. These comrades were with us yesterday as we launched our manifesto and today they are no more. May their souls rest in peace,” Gungubele said.
“The loss of one life is a disaster enough. This is a devastation.”
“The information I have right now is that at least 10 people perished and that there were 59 survivors at different hospitals in the Free State.
“Now we have a responsibility to ensure that everyone gets home hence we have set up a disaster joint operation centre to ensure that as and when we are called into action we are ready,” he added.
