Forty-three die on N1 near Ingwe Lodge Limpopo on Sunday 13 October

A preliminary report into the devastating bus crash on the N1 near Ingwe Lodge in Limpopo has revealed a combination of excessive speed, severe mechanical failure, and overloading as the main causes. The accident, which occurred on Sunday, 13 October, tragically claimed the lives of 43 people.

Key details from the preliminary report

• Date of incident: Sunday, 13 October (year not specified in the source but implied to be recent)
• Location: N1 highway near Ingwe Lodge, Limpopo Province, South Africa.
• Fatalities: 43 lives lost.
• Reporting body: The Department of Transport.
• Contributing factor 1: Speeding: The driver was travelling at a speed too high for the conditions, particularly while descending a mountain pass.
• Contributing factor 2: Unroadworthiness: The bus and its trailer had significant brake defects. Only five out of ten brakes were operational, and one brake on the bus was completely non-functional.
• Contributing factor 3: Overloading: The bus, designed to carry 62 passengers, was carrying 91 occupants at the time of the crash.

A detailed summary of the incident

The Limpopo Province was plunged into mourning following a horrific bus accident that resulted in the deaths of 43 people. The incident took place on the N1 highway, close to Ingwe Lodge. The Department of Transport has since released a preliminary report to shed light on the circumstances leading to this tragedy. The findings point towards a critical failure on multiple fronts. Firstly, the driver of the bus was reportedly travelling at an unsafe speed, especially given the challenging nature of the mountain pass they were navigating. This excessive speed, combined with the road conditions, made it difficult to control the vehicle. Compounding the issue of speed was the severe mechanical condition of the bus itself. Investigations revealed that the braking system was critically compromised, with only half of the brakes functioning and one completely inoperable. This meant the driver had severely limited ability to slow down or stop the vehicle. Furthermore, the report highlights that the bus was significantly overloaded. It had a legal seating capacity for 62 individuals, but tragically, there were 91 people on board when the accident occurred. This overcrowding would have further hampered the driver’s ability to manoeuvre the vehicle and exacerbated the impact of the crash.

Frequently asked questions about the bus accident

• What caused the N1 Limpopo bus accident?

  The preliminary report indicates a combination of factors: the bus travelling too fast down a mountain pass, severe brake failure on both the bus and trailer, and the bus being overloaded with passengers.

• How many people died in the crash?

  A tragic total of 43 lives were lost in the accident.

• When and where did the accident happen?

  The accident occurred on Sunday, 13 October, on the N1 highway near Ingwe Lodge in Limpopo Province. You can read more about similar incidents and news from the region here: stories like this on www.cityofthohoyandou.co.za.

• What was the condition of the bus’s brakes?

  The bus and trailer had significant brake issues, with only five out of ten brakes working, and one brake on the bus being completely out of commission.

• Was the bus carrying more passengers than it should have?

  Yes, the bus had a seating capacity of 62 but was carrying 91 occupants at the time of the crash, meaning it was severely overloaded.

• Who released the preliminary report?

  The preliminary report on the accident was released by the Department of Transport. For the original announcement, you can visit the source: x.com/LimChronicle/status/1979162052754072040.