Crash driver 'not licensed to operate minibus'

The driver in a minibus crash that killed eight British tourists was not licensed to operate the vehicle, South African officials said tonight.

A trailer being towed by the bus also did not have a proper braking system and had an expired licence disc, an investigation found.

It concluded that South African driver Christopher Kampfert, 24, was not authorised to operate a vehicle as heavy as the Mercedes Sprinter which overturned on New Year’s Eve.

“It’s like having a licence to drive a car but driving a bus,” provincial transport spokesman Logan Maistry told PA News.

Investigators from the transport department in the northern KwaZulu-Natal province accepted that the crash was triggered by an apparently suicidal man who ran in front of the minibus forcing it to swerve.

“But if the driver had made sure that everything that should have been was in the angle of the law then the impact and severity of the crash would probably have been reduced,” said Mr Maistry.

Speed may also have been a contributory factor in the accident, the investigation found.

The results of the probe will be sent to the British High Commissioner in South Africa and justice officials for possible prosecution.

Exodus Travels, which organised the tour, said it had no immediate comment on the investigation’s findings.

Two of the Britons killed in the crash had planned to wed, it was revealed today.

The families of Neil Pike, 35, and Christine Rowe, 30, from Preston, Lancashire, paid tribute to the couple who “adored each other”.

They were in South Africa as part of a safari break, which they were said to have planned as “the holiday of a lifetime”.

A statement released by their families said: “Our overriding memory of them will be one of a young, energetic and fun-loving couple who were about to marry and who had their lives together in front of them.

“They adored each other. They were not only devoted to each other, but also to their families, friends, and their vocations.”

Two Britons injured in the crash have now been released from hospital, as has Mr Kampfert.

One of the injured, Sonia Willhoft, believed to be 61, lost her husband Dr Anthony Egan in the accident.

The victims of the crash have been identified as Mr Pike and Ms Rowe; Dr Egan, 65; former Post Office worker Thomas Harris, also 65, from Wales; former eye surgeon Roger Pearce, 60, and his wife Linda, 49; and another married couple, Stephen and Marion Moon.

Six of the Britons died at the scene and two died later in hospital.

Relatives of the dead and injured are believed to be on their way to South Africa.

Four other people travelling in the bus – Briton Andrew Robertson, 58, a Canadian, the driver and a local tour guide – suffered minor injuries.

The holidaymakers were on their way to the Royal Natal National Park in a Mercedes Benz Sprinter pulling a trailer when the accident happened.

Eyewitnesses said the pedestrian, named as Pelepele Miya, had been intent on killing himself and had walked in front of other cars earlier in the day. He died in the crash.

The driver swerved but then lost control of the vehicle, which overturned.

Mr Harris was described as a “gentleman” by his friends and neighbours.

The keen Cardiff City football fan was said to have treated himself to an “exotic holiday” every Christmas.

Neighbour Rita Murphy said: “He was enjoying his life. It was just him and his mother for years and he was living life to the full.”

She added: “He was such a lovely fellow, a gentleman who wouldn’t hurt a fly.”

Mr and Mrs Pearce had travelled to South Africa to celebrate the retired eye surgeon’s 60th birthday.

Their three daughters – Claire, 23, Victoria, 25, and 18-year-old Nicola - have been left orphaned by the tragedy.

Dr Egan and his wife, who were said to be keen climbers, also have children from previous marriages.

David Gillespie, managing director of Exodus Travels, has flown to South Africa to examine the crash site.

He said: “Our hearts and minds are with the relatives and survivors of all those that were involved in this terrible accident.

“Our priority remains providing them with every possible support and assistance at this difficult time. We are devastated by what has happened.

“The safety of our customers and staff is always uppermost in our minds when planning any trip and we will continue to work with the South African authorities, the British Consulate and the Foreign Office in the ensuing investigations, as well as launching an internal inquiry.”

The crash followed a spate of tourist deaths on tour buses in the country.

The worst incident was in September 1999 when 26 Britons and their African guide were killed when their tour bus skidded off a wet road and down a mountain side.

The driver was jailed for six years after admitting culpable homicide.