13 learners killed in Gauteng school transport crash

AT LEAST 13 school children are dead after their private scholar transport crashed into a truck in Vanderbijlpark, south of Johannesburg on Monday morning.

The leerders are from different primary and high schools, and were travelling in a Toyota Quantum.

Their Quantum collided with a truck on the R533, known as the Golden Highway, while trying to overtake vehicles.

Eleven children were declared dead at the scene.

Five others sustained critical injuries and were 

transported to hospital for urgent medical treatment.

It was later confirmed that two more died due to the extent of their injuries.

The driver was also taken to hospital for treatment. 

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi visited the scene of the accident and told Newzroom Afrika that the taxi carrying the children was overtaking two vehicles. 

He said: “The investigating team has just briefed me, but there are one or two things that I still need. 

“It is clear that the taxi was trying to overtake several cars and unfortunately, it collided with the truck.”

Lesufi said the growing private scholar transport sector urgently needed stricter regulation.

He said: “I really feel that we have left this sector unregulated for quite some time. 

“Remember, within the scholar transport we have some regulations, but the private scholar transport system, I think there are lots and lots of loose ends and unfortunately, this is the price we have paid.”

President Cyril Ramaphosa led the nation in mourning the tragedy. 

In a statement released by his office, the president said: “Our children are the nation’s most precious assets.

“We must do all we can – from observing the rules of the road, to ensuring the quality and accountability of scholar transport operators -– to protect the lives of learners.”

Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube was also quick to express her sorrow following the tragic crash.

Gauteng police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo, said the driver of the scholar transport vehicle was also injured.

Masondo said the driver was taken to hospital for treatment.

Police confirmed that some of the injured learners later died on their way to hospital.