Police suspect reckless driving in Cradock crash

Police suspect reckless driving may have caused this morning's horror crash near Cradock in the Eastern Cape.

Eighteen people were killed when two buses collided head-on. One was carrying pupils to a sports event in Graaff Reinet. Police are investigating a case of culpable homicide.

A much-anticipated sports day was cut short when 3 children from a Craddock Primary school, including the principal who drove the bus, lost their lives. 

Twelve people travelling on the other bus from Cape Town to Mthatha were killed. Two more died in hospital.

Cynthia Nkamba of the South African Police Service (SAPS) says they received a call. They then rushed to the scene and are now investigating the culpable homicide.

The R61 was closed for several hours as paramedics tried to stabilise survivors. Eyewitnesses say the accident happened when the Mthatha-bound bus overtook a car, and crashed into the school bus.

“I do not remember much. I was awake until they changed the driver. All I remember was seeing the police thereafter and my body being painful,” says bus crash survivor, Manelisi Nqayimbane.

Another survivor, Liso Gagela says that the new driver tried to overtake another vehicle then the crash happened. He managed to get out of the bus.

The injured were taken to the local hospital in Craddock. Those with severe injuries have been transferred to hospitals in Port Elizabeth, East London and Bloemfontein.

Twenty eight others were treated and discharged. Parents, pupils and staff are battling to come to terms with their unexpected loss.