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Bus crashes into 2 houses

STUCK: A metro bus driver lost control of his bus and crashed into two houses after he allegedly suffered an epileptic fit or mild stroke. Pic: Thuli Dlamini. Circa May 2010. © Sowetan.
STUCK: A metro bus driver lost control of his bus and crashed into two houses after he allegedly suffered an epileptic fit or mild stroke. Pic: Thuli Dlamini. Circa May 2010. © Sowetan.

TWO families from KwaMashu L Section miraculously escaped death when a Metro bus crashed into their homes yesterday morning.

The bus, carrying passengers, ploughed into two houses after the driver allegedly suffered a suspected mild stroke or an epileptic fit.

He had complained to passengers that he was "dying" shortly before the bus rammed into the homes.

The driver, 23 passengers and a 15-year-old from one of the houses were injured in the accident.

The passengers, mainly workers and schoolchildren, screamed and some jumped off the moving bus, as it crashed into the houses after knocking down electricity poles and water meters on the roadside.

Several trees were knocked over as the bus crashed into the Dludla family's four-roomed house and came to a halt next to the neighbour's, the Zulu's, home. The injured were taken to local hospitals and clinics.

Nonhlanhla Dludla said she was sleeping with her children when she heard a loud bang outside.

"We didn't know what was happening," she said. "We ran to open the door but it would not move. It was then that I saw this huge bus crossing our yard to the Zulu's house," Dludla said.

"Bricks and the roof of the houses came to rest on the side of the damaged bus. We thank God the house did not fall on us."

A visibly shaken Nathi Zulu said his sister was already up helping the children prepare for school at the time.

"My sister narrowly escaped death with her little child in her arms because the bus hit where they had been standing moments before," Zulu said.

"My 15-year-old niece was the only one injured when flying bricks hit her."

Rescue workers assisted by locals helped the injured into ambulances.

The bus had missed MEC for cooperative governance and traditional affairs Nomusa Dube's family home by a whisker when it ploughed into the two homes.

Dube arrived at the scene within minutes after she was told of the accident, diverting from the way to a meeting.

She called in disaster management unit from her department and swiftly dished out food hampers to the victims.

"We are lucky that no one died. People escaped with minor injuries and were taken to hospital. We are told that all is fine," she said.

Dube said her department would provide temporary shelter to the homeless Zulu and Dludla families tonight, pending a permanent solution.

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