FOLLOWING a collision between a motor vehicle and one of its own 65-seater buses early on Tuesday morning, Gauteng-based Protours has announced that it will launch an independent investigation into the cause of the accident.
General manager of Protours, Nobbie Marais, told Travel Now that preliminary statements taken from the driver and co-drivers of the bus indicated it had encountered the motor vehicle as it came over a hill. The vehicle, according to the bus driver, was travelling on the wrong side of the road and the bus attempted to swerve.
Three of the passengers of the motor vehicle were killed while 15 of the 45 bus passengers - schoolchildren and teachers from a high school in Mafikeng in the North West Province - sustained minor injuries.
Marais said he expected to announce at least the preliminary findings of the internal investigation within a week.
"The owners and management of Protours would also like to extend their condolences to the families of the deceased," said Marais.
(Adéle Mackenzie)
