Intercape bus trapped in a flash flood on R30 road between Allanridge and Bothaville

An Intercape bus liner is the latest casualty of flash flooding reported in the Free State.

In the early hours of today morning, an Intercape bus got trapped in the heavily flooded R30 road between Allanridge and Bothaville.

The bus with over 86 passengers got trapped while the driver of the bus forced to passby the road that hasn’t been functional since earlier this year due to heavy rains that barricaded the road with floods.

Spokesperson for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in the Free State, Sipho Towa, said passengers were rescued by emergency teams, and no injuries have been reported.

According to the Lejweleputswa media liaison officer captain Stephen Thakeng, it is alleged that a driver of Intercape bus was travelling from Umtata to Pretoria and passed the road signs that clearly indicate that the road is closed due to flooding.

“He never took heed to the instruction and the bus got trapped with eighty six ( 86) passengers.

“Members of SAPS Diving Unit were activated Sergeant Carel Gagiano, who was assisted by Constable Patrick Tsiane of Allanridge Police Station , who managed to rescue these passengers which included men, women and children,” said captain Thakeng.

Since the R30 road has been flooded, several cars were reportedly trapped, this involves a Range Rover, truck and a sedan.

“So we are appealing to all motorists to obey the road rules that the road is flooding and it’s therefore closed,” urged captain Thakeng.

“Motorists are sternly warned not to underestimate the power of the water as we are experiencing heavy rains.

The road between Allanridge and Bothaville has flooded, so motorists must not cross as there are road signs that gives this indication,” he added.