A three-year-old has been killed after a bus carrying a rugby team, staff, supporters and family members crashed down an embankment in the Wilderness on Saturday evening.
ER24 said two people were also critically injured and 34 others were treated and transported to hospital for minor injuries.
The bus was found down an embankment at about an 80-degree angle on its side having crashed through a private residences' deck.
It is believed that the bus was travelling back to Wittedrift, close to Plettenberg Bay, after playing rugby at NMMU Saasveld, near George.
ER24 spokesperson Ross Campbell said they had apparently taken this road through the back of Wilderness to connect to the N2, as the Saasveld road was closed due to flood damage.
It is believed the bus’s brakes failed.
“A bus carrying a rugby team, staff, supporters and family members has crashed down an embankment in the Wilderness area, killing a three-year-old toddler, critically injuring two men and injuring 34 others after its brakes allegedly failed last night.
“ER24 paramedics were on the scene at 6:30pm during load shedding along with the Fire Department, Metro Rescue, Metro EMS and two other private Emergency Medical Services.
“It is believed that the bus was travelling back to Wittedrift close to Plettenberg Bay after playing rugby at NMMU Saasveld, near George. They had apparently taken this road through the back of Wilderness to connect to the N2 as the Saasveld road is closed due to flood damage.
“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. ER24 transported them both through to the George Provincial Hospital for further care.
“Thirty-four further men, women and children also were treated and transported to hospital for minor injuries by all services on the scene. The SAPS were also on the scene for further investigations,”” Campbell said.
Cape Times