3 dead: families tell of their pain

SURVIVOR RELIVES HOW BUS 'FELL OVER BRIDGE'

- MONISHKA GOVENDER [e-mail]

WHILE three families are mourning the loss of their loved ones killed in last week's bus crash, a survivor is counting his blessings to be alive.

Dhanalutchmee "Lilly" Perumal, 54, Steven Sannassee, 38, and Frank James, 42, all of Tongaat, were killed in the crash.

They were on their way to work when the bus allegedly veered off the road and went over a bridge in Maidstone. Fifteen other passengers were injured and the bus driver is still in hospital.

On Tuesday, Skhumbuzo Zikhali, 59, of Burbreeze, said it was a miracle he had survived the crash.

"We were travelling in the bus like we do every morning. Most of us were on our way to work. There was no indication that there was anything wrong with the bus. Suddenly, I heard everyone in the bus screaming. Then I felt us falling over the bridge. The bus fell over the bridge," said Zikhali.

"When I woke up, I was on the ground outside the bus. The bridge was far above me. I am not sure how I ended up outside the bus nor do I remember how I was saved. But I am glad that someone helped me," he said.

Zikhali sustained severe injuries, including a broken back and a cracked skull.