Friday, 27 January 2012

Outrage after bus accident kills child

This photo shows how the bus impacted with the car on its front right side. This possibly indicates that the bus was in the lane of oncoming traffic and moving back into the left lane when the accident occurred

Seven year-old Alicia van Aswegen died within hours of the accident on Monday morning

‘This road is a ticking time bomb. ‘Must a child die before action is taken?’ These were the words of Helena van Aswegen, the heart-broken and grieving mother of seven year-old Alicia who died on Monday morning after a bus collided with the vehicle she was travelling in to school. The accident occurred on the Heatonville road (P253) outside Empangeni. Alicia’s sister, Anel (9), and the driver of the vehicle, Sharon Souchon, were seriously injured and while it has been a difficult week it appears that both are on the road to recovery.

Souchon had been transporting seven children to Heuwelland Primary, including her twin 10 year-old daughters. Heuwelland Primary Principal Wynand Strydom expressed his deepest condolences to the Van Aswegen family. ‘As a school we are heartbroken and we will endeavour to continue to support the families of all those involved in the accident.’ Chantelle and Micheline Souchon were discharged from the Life Empangeni Garden clinic on Wednesday. However, they are afraid to return home because of the road they must travel daily.

Busses under fire
Heatonville Farmers’ Association Chairman, Bill Nelson condemned the accident saying that the Ntambanana bus company should be held accountable for the blatant disregard of the rules of the road consistently displayed by their drivers. ‘Over the years we have met countless times with the bus company about their drivers but nothing changes.’ According to Nelson, numerous residents of Heatonville and the buses’ own passengers, the reputation of the buses precedes them. ‘Bus drivers are the biggest culprits. ‘They regularly exceed the speed limit, drive in the centre of the road, race each other using both lanes and overtake on blind rises. ‘Other vehicles have to get out of the way or face an accident. ‘It’s a terrifying road to travel.’ It is alleged that the bus in question, which was transporting school teachers to Ntambanana, was in the lane of oncoming traffic due to passing some obstruction in the road.

Ikhwezi Buses Ntambanana Depot Manager, John Marimuthoo said the company would be conducting an internal investigation in conjunction with the police’s own investigation. ‘The driver has been suspended until his disciplinary hearing, the outcome of which will depend on the investigation. ‘The company has strict rules regarding speed and safety and any breach of these will result in severe action.’ ‘As a company we wish to to extend our condolences to the family,’ said Marimuthoo. The alleged deteriorated condition of the road is another huge concern because drivers are constantly dodging potholes. ‘We have been fixing potholes ourselves because our cries are falling on deaf ears,’ says Nelson.

The Zululand Observer has also been reporting on this for the past year. KZN Transport spokesperson Kwanele Ncalane said on Wednesday that it has been confirmed that this accident was not caused by the condition of the road. He also claims that all potholes on the road have been recently fixed. However, he added that ‘the road is under maintenance and where there will be damages dangerous to motorists we put signage to indicate so.’ Despite a request for the exact dates when the road was last
maintained, this was not forthcoming.

Speak out against reckless driving

The Van Aswegen and Souchon families and the Heatonville Farmers’ Association are requesting the community to take photographs and record the number plates of any vehicles seen driving recklessly in this area.
‘These drivers must be reported otherwise the problem will continue unchecked,’ says Heatonville Farmers’ Association Chairman Bill Nelson.