Captain Shado Mashobane said they were Mantombi Lizzy Baba, Aletta Raditsela, Vicky Bhanya, Isaac Nkululeko Mphosi, Maxwell Solomon Tsekahadi, Mapaseka Martha Moreki, Ishmael Khabi (driver), Lydia Nkatha, Gladis Gogo Mapisa, Jane Thibatsane, Alice Mamokete Sikhosana, Mokgobo Annah Thulo, Lydia Chompi Lekgae, Mojalefa Gift Malebese, Elisa Mosoetsa and Rebecca Mosoetsa.

The driver of the Putco bus lost control of the vehicle on the R59 en route to Meyerton. It crashed through a bridge railing before plummeting 10metres to the ground, landing on its side.

Gauteng's roads and transport portfolio committee acting chairwoman Refilwe Mogale said three of the survivors were in intensive care.

One was in a critical condition and on a life-support machine, while another suffered from memory loss.

Passengers with minor injuries had been discharged from hospital.

A preliminary report on the cause of the accident will be available tomorrow, the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) said.

"Teams from the police and RTMC are working together to compile the preliminary report that will give us the major contributing factors to the accident," spokesman Ashref Ismail said.

"This could tell us if it was caused by driver error or vehicle defect.