Over 70 injured in South Africa bus collision

By Hassan Isilow

JOHANNESBURG (AA) - At least 77 people were injured Tuesday when two buses collided in Auckland Park near the University of Johannesburg’s (UJ) Kingsway campus, according to officials.

The university said in a statement that one of the buses was ferrying students between campuses.

“Initial assessments indicate that approximately 19 UJ students were on the bus,” said the school’s media relations manager Herman Esterhuizen.

The university said it takes the safety and well-being of its students seriously and will work closely with relevant authorities to establish the facts surrounding the accident.

Johannesburg Metro Police Department officials said the accident happened at around 7 a.m. local time (0500GMT) -- peak traffic hour in the city.

The second bus involved belonged to the Metrobus service ferrying passengers. Spokesperson Goodwill Shivuri said the company will wait for investigations to know the cause of the accident.

Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department spokesperson Xolani Fihla said 77 patients had been treated for light to serious injuries.

“With the severity and seriousness of this accident, a case of negligent and reckless driving will be opened to determine what caused this accident,” Fihla told reporters.