The deceased were all occupants of the bakkie.
They are Willie Juries, Allister Muller, Delmor Treurnich, Pierre Heunis (who is believed to have been the driver of the bakkie) and Ruan Smith. The deceased are all from Great Brak River.
The two other passengers of the bakkie survived the accident and were transported to the George Hospital. Jason Mapella is still in ICU, while Ronelle Heunis has been released from hospital.
Preliminary investigation reveals that the driver, who was the only occupant of the bus, was travelling towards George from the direction of the George Airport on the R102, whilst the bakkie, with 7 occupants, was en-route to Great Brak River from George. Witness accounts indicate that the driver of the bus veered to the right to avoid hitting a bakkie that was exiting the George municipal refuse site. Subsequently, the bus hit the bakkie of the deceased, a red GWM, from the opposite direction, head-on. The bakkie came to a halt in the field next to the road.
5 of the 7 occupants of the bakkie died on impact and were later transported to the state mortuary by the Forensic Pathology Services personnel. The driver of the bus was transported to hospital by ambulance to be treated for shock and a general examination. He was immediately discharged thereafter.
Investigation into this horrific accident continues as a Culpable Homicide docket was opened for further investigation. No arrest has been made.
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