Families, of the bus victims who were involved in a horrific accident that claimed 11 Ekurhuleni residents\u2019 lives, on Sunday, now have a central place to receive information concerning their loved ones.<\/p>\n
The ANC Ekurhuleni volunteers were returning from the ANC manifesto launch in Port Elizabeth, when the accident occurred on the N1 highway, between Ventersburg and Winburg in the Free State.<\/p>
The metro has established a Joint Operation Centre (JOC) to coordinate information regarding the accident.<\/p>\n
The JOC is based at the Palm Ridge Fire Station which is closer to Katlehong and Vosloorus where the passengers come from.<\/p>
Family members can visit the JOC or call 011 999-3796 to check the list of people who were on the bus.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe JOC stands ready to provide up-to-date information on the status of all passengers involved in the fatal accident including those that are still hospitalised in the Free State, and the patients that were transferred to our local hospitals.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are happy to report that a bus carrying 27 patients with minor injuries arrived just after midnight.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese patients were allowed to go home after observation,\u201d said member of the mayoral committee on community safety, Clr Vivian Chauke.<\/p>\n
The metro has chaplains and counsellors on standby to assist family members through this trauma.<\/p>\n
On Sunday the executive mayor of Ekurhuleni Clr Mondli Gungubele expressed shock regarding the bus accident.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is no way to describe how I feel right now.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese comrades were with us yesterday as we launched our manifesto and today they are no more.<\/p>\n
\u201cMay their souls rest in peace,\u201d Gungubele said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe loss of one life is a disaster enough.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is devastation.\u201d<\/p>\n
The mayor sent a team of senior emergency and disaster officials led by the city\u2019s COO to Ventersburg in the Free State to determine if there is a role the metro can play in the accident.<\/p>\n
Later, Gungubele himself travelled to the scene of the accident and visited the accident survivors at various hospitals.<\/p>\n
Gungubele sent his condolences to the families of the deceased and wished the survivors a speedy recovery.<\/p>\n
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Related articles:<\/p>\n
Breaking: ANC Ekurhuleni volunteers killed, others injured in Free State bus crash<\/a><\/p>\n