Golden Arrow bus driver falls ill and dies after colliding with tree in Brackenfell
A Golden Arrow bus driver died on Wednesday morning after he fell ill behind the wheel causing him to crash into a pavement and hit a tree.
The incident took place in Brackenfell around 7:30am while there were no passengers inside the bus.
When authorities arrived at the scene, the 37-yea-old bus driver had already passed away and was declared deceased.
Bronwen Dyke-Beyer, Golden Arrow Bus Services spokesperson, confirmed the incident and said the driver died while on his way back to the depot.
“Golden Arrow can confirm an incident which occurred at approximately 07:30am on Wednesday morning on Brackenfell Boulevard.
“According to all information available to us at this stage, one of our bus drivers was en route back to the depot, in an empty bus, when he suffered a sudden medical condition which caused him to leave the road and collide with a tree.
"Medical personnel were unable to revive him, and he passed away at the scene. He will be fondly remembered by all of his colleagues and our thoughts go out to his family and loved ones at this very difficult time," she said.
Police spokesperson, FC van Wyk, said Brackenfell police registered an inquest following the accident.
“According to reports the Golden Arrow Bus was on the way from Vredekloof down Boulevard with no passengers inside the bus when the driver lost control and drove into the pavement on the left hand side.
"When assistance arrived the 37-year-old driver was declared deceased on the scene. A post-mortem will be conducted to determine the cause of death.”
In a separate incident, 21 people were involved in an accident on Sunday morning when a Hilux bakkie overturned on the R300 throwing the passengers out of the vehicle.
Video footage emerged online and shows the bakkie laying on its back while authorities are assisting some of the victims as others can be seen laying on the grass including children.
No fatalities were reported, however, Kevin Jacobs, spokesperson for the City’s Traffic Services said the 21 people were all injured.
“Traffic Officers were dispatched to the accident scene at 10:40am on Sunday where one vehicle had overturned. 21 people were injured and the roadway was reopened at 12.24pm," Jacobs said.
Cape Argus