ZIMBABWEAN FEMALE BECOMES ELEVENTH FATALITY FOLLOWING N1 BUS ACCIDENT IN FREE STATE

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TROMPSBURG - The Free State Department of Health confirms that a 47-year-old Zimbabwean female patient who was admitted at Pelonomi Tertiary Hospital as a yPriority 1 (critical) patient following the N1 bus accident between Trompsburg and Edenburg, has sadly passed away on Friday, 31 July 2026. 

The patient had been receiving intensive care and was on ventilatory support.

This brings the total number of fatalities from the accident to 11

Both Pelonomi Tertiary Hospital and Universitas Academic Hospital continue to provide care to the remaining critically and seriously injured patients from this tragic incident. These patients received a compassionate visit from the Consul General of Zimbabwe in Johannesburg, South Africa, Mr. Eria Phiri accompanied by the Head of Department of Health, Mr. Ernest Mohlahlo.

The Government Mortuary is coordinating arrangements for the formal identification of the deceased by their families. The identification process will take place between Monday, 3 August to Friday, 7 August 2026. Further details regarding the identification and repatriation processes will be communicated through official media channels in due course.

The Free State Department of Health extends its heartfelt condolences* to the families, friends and loved ones of all those who lost their lives, and wishes a speedy recovery to all those still receiving treatment.

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