Bus crash survivors say drivers were swopping seats

Bus crash survivors say drivers were swopping seats - Ten people were killed and scores more injured after a bus overturned on the N1 Highway between Ventersburg and Winburg in the Free State on Sunday. It was returning from the ANC's manifesto launch in Port Elizabeth. - Ten ANC supporters were killed when their bus overturned in the Free State on Sunday morning. They were from the manifesto launch in Port Elizabeth. - Ten people were killed and scores more injured after a bus overturned on the N1 Highway between Ventersburg and Winburg in the Free State on Sunday. It was returning from the ANC's manifesto launch in Port Elizabeth. Photo: eNCA - The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has sent accident reconstruction experts to the scene of the bus crash that has claimed at least 11 lives on Sunday.   The acident occured on the N1 Highway between Ventersburg and Winburg in the Free State.  Paramedics reported that the bus was at full capacity, and had rolled several times in the accident.  “About 20 people are believed to have suffered serious injuries, 38 had light injuries and one was in critical condition. The injured have been transported to various hospitals in Winburg, Kroonstad, Virginia and Welkom,” said the RTMC in a statement. A private bus has been arranged to collect all patients with minor injuries at the various hospitals and transport them back to Ekurhuleni.     eNCA reporter on the scene, Sikelelwa Mdingi, said relatives of those on board the bus started arriving from Johannesburg in an effort to glean more information on their loved ones. Free State MEC for Health, Dr. Benny Malakoane stated "Fatigue is suspected to be the main possible cause of the accident as all tyres are found to be intact. The driver is not divulging any info about the cause. However, fatigue is strongly suspected as the bus went off the road on and rolled."  Survivors told police that the drivers of the bus were swopping seats while the bus was in transit. Both bus drivers survived the accident, but are reportedly too traumatised to talk. Police will follow up for more details into their investigation. ER24 paramedics reported finding the bus on it's roof when they arrived on the scene, with scores of bodies scattered around, and others trapped under the body of the bus. The passengers are reportedly ANC supporters from Wards 60 and 62 in Gauteng.     The ANC Women's League, the DA, and the EFF have all sent their condolences on the tragedy, in media statements. Ekurhuleni's executive mayor, Cllr Mondli Gungubele has also expressed his shock and has sent condolences to the families of those involved in the crash. “These comrades were with us yesterday as we launched our manifesto and today they are no more. May their souls rest in peace,” Gungubele said.  "We have a responsibility to ensure that everyone gets home hence we have set up a disaster joint operation centre to ensure that as and when we are called into action we are ready,” he added.