The bus caught fire early on Wednesday morning just after the William Nicol off-ramp.
Johannesburg – At least 17 passengers have been left injured after a bus caught fire on the N1 North, authorities said on Wednesday.
The bus caught fire early on Wednesday morning just after the William Nicol off-ramp. The bus was travelling from Cape Town to Zimbabwe.
Emer-G-Med paramedics received reports of the incident and upon arrival, found traffic at a standstill and the smoking bus stranded in the middle lane.
According the company, the bus caught fire after a front tyre burst.
“The bus driver then stopped the bus and as he alighted, the smoke spread to the rest of the vehicle,” Emer-G-Med said.
This resulted in passengers rushing to get off, and in getting injured in the process.
《Fourways》#M07,#F01,#A02 is currently on scene on the N1 North after the William Nicol Drive off ramp for a bus that has caught fire. Injuries are still being assessed. The N1 north bound has been closed causing massive traffic delays.@GTP_Traffstats@_ArriveAlivepic.twitter.com/84yBpld71r
— EMER-G-MED (@EMER_G_MED)December 11, 2019
Emer-G-Med confirmed that 17 people sustained injuries and were being taken to hospital. Fatalities could not be confirmed at this stage.
Firefighters are still working to put out the fire, which have since spread to the bus’s trailer.
JMPD spokesperson Wayne Minnaar also confirmed the incident, but denied any recorded injuries.
“We are still going to investigate the cause of the fire but we are fearing an explosion which is why traffic is being diverted off at William Nicol, past Witkoppen, Rivonia Road leading back to the N1,” Minnaar said.
* This is a developing story
IOL
