The death toll in the horrific bus accident near Ngcobo in the Eastern Cape has risen to 12, including four children.
The bus driver also died in the accident.
The bus overturned on the R58, five kilometres outside Ngcobo. It was en route to Mthatha from Gauteng.
35 people were taken to hospital. Helicopters were also used to ferry the critically injured patients.
The jaws of life had to be used to cut some of the passengers free from the wreck.
Officials on the scene fear that the death toll may rise as some of passengers suffered serious head injuries.
The cause of the accident is not yet known.
The bus was transporting 60 passengers.
Eastern Cape health department spokesperson, Sizwe Kupelo says the department is doing all it can to clear scene and has urged motorists to drive cautiously on the roads.
“Rescue efforts are continuing our workers are using Jaws of Life. We have three patients that are still trapped I can confirm that all the three are still alive. Up to so far the number has gone to 11 the number of those who passed on. We are going to use a tow truck to move the wreckage so as to check if there are any survivors or any bodies under the wreckage,” said Kupelo.
