UPDATE! The death toll in the N1 bus accident has risen to 16, with 20 injured passengers being treated at the Worcester Hospital, while the rest refused medical assistance. It has since come to light that the driver swerved to avoid colliding with a delivery vehicle when the driver lost control of the bus.

ACCIDENT SCENE: Touws River: Fifteen people died and many others were injured in a tragic bus crash this morning, Thursday 2 July 2026.

The South African Police Service (SAPS), together with emergency and disaster management personnel, responded to the accident on the N1 near Touws River at about 00:45 this morning.

According to SAPS early information indicates that the bus was transporting 78 passengers from Cape Town to the Eastern Cape when it overturned. No other vehicles were involved in the incident.

“Fifteen passengers were declared deceased at the scene. The fatalities comprise seven men, five women  and three children. Several other passengers sustained injuries of varying severity and were transported to nearby medical facilities for treatment.

“The circumstances surrounding the crash are under investigation,” said SAPS.