UPDATE

N1 horror bus crash: Death toll climbs to 17

21:00

LIMPOPO – Twelve people are confirmed dead and a further eight seriously injured after a 22-seater bus and a SUV collided head-on along the N1 south on Tuesday evening.

According to a statement issued by Mike Maringa, the media liaison officer for the Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety, the incident happened near the Mookgophong off-ramp.

“It is alleged the driver of the SUV lost control of the vehicle due to a tyre burst and collided collided head-on with the bus.”

He explained that after the impact the bus caught fire. “Eleven occupants were trapped in the wreckage and were burnt to death.”

He added that the driver of the SUV was also killed on impact.

“Eight people were injured, six sustained serious injuries while two escaped with minor injuries.”

The N1 between Mookgophong and Mokopane remains closed and motorists are being diverted onto the R101.

Transport and Community Safety MEC Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya has sent messages of condolences to the affected families and wish a speedy recovery to the survivors.

“The MEC is once again pleading with motorists to inspect their vehicles before they embark on a trip. She is concerned that most of the fatal accidents reported on the N1 have a common cause,” Maringa concluded.

19:18

LIMPOPO – A temporary road closure has been reported on the N1 between Mookgophong and Mokopane due to an accident.

“No details are available as yet and motorists are advised to make use of the alternative R101 road,” says Mike Maringa, the media liaison officer for the Limpopo Department of Transport and Community Safety.

Video footage shared by Danie Smit via the Citizens Emergency WhatsApp group.

Emergency services are on the scene.