Twelve learners from various schools in Mitchells Plain had to be treated in hospital yesterday morning after they sustained injuries in a multi-vehicle collision at the intersection of Spine Road and Merrydale Road.
Mitchells Plain police registered a reckless and negligent driving case following an accident at about 7am involving scholars between the ages of 10 to 17 years.
The crash involved seven vehicles, including two minibus taxis and a scholar transport.
Maxine Bezuidenhout, spokesperson for the City Traffic Services said that 12 scholars were found in one Toyota Quantum and were taken to Mitchells Plain Day Hospital with slight injuries.
Bezuidenhout says: “Traffic officers attended to the accident scene which involved seven vehicles, two Toyota Quantums, three sedans and one light delivery vehicle. Twelve scholars were in the one Toyota Quantum.
"The scholars, aged between 10 and 14, were taken to the Mitchells Plain Day Hospital with slight injuries. The Toyota Quantum was suspended. The driver had no licence or Professional Driving Permit (PrDP).
"The South African Police Service will be opening a case against the driver for reckless and negligent driving.”
Police spokesperson Captain FC Van Wyk confirmed that Mitchells Plain police registered a case for reckless and negligent driving.
Van Wyk reports: “According to reports SAPS members received a complaint of an accident at the mentioned address. Upon arrival members found multiple cars standing on the side of the road near the robots in front of a high school in Mitchells Plain.
"The members were informed by a traffic officer on the scene, that it was alleged that a Toyota Quantum was dropping school children at their respective schools.
"While coming down the bridge towards the robots, the driver of the taxi with the school children had lost control of the vehicle. He then collided into six other vehicles
"In the process, 11 of the passengers, all scholars aged between 10 and 17 in the Quantum sustained slight injuries. Investigations continues.”
Bronagh Hammond from the Western Cape Education Department said that the various schools were notified about the accident and the remainder of the learners were collected to be transported to their respective schools.
She added: “There were thankfully no fatalities and we await further details. Officials from the WCED Safe Schools sub-directorate were on scene to provide the relevant support.”
Anyone with any information about this accident is kindly requested to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the mobile application MySAPS anonymously.