Disaster and Emergency Management Services (DEMS) responded to a serious crash involving a scholar transport and a light motor vehicle on the M7 in the Tsietsi section outside Katlehong on the morning of July 29.

According to DEMS spokesperson William Ntladi, emergency crews received the call at approximately 06:55 and immediately dispatched fire and rescue teams from the Zonkizizwe and Palm Ridge fire stations.

The collision involved a VW microbus and a Honda Jazz.

Nineteen primary school pupils travelling in the scholar transport received pre-hospital medical treatment after the crash.

The microbus had 20 people on board, including the driver, at the time of the collision.

The Honda Jazz had four occupants, including the driver.

All occupants from both vehicles were treated at the scene by paramedics before being transported to nearby medical facilities.

“At least four pupils were reported to be in a serious but stable condition, while the rest sustained minor injuries,” said Ntladi.

He added that two scholar pedestrians waiting alongside the road for transport to school were also injured during the incident.

“Both escaped with minor injuries and were also transported to hospital,” said Ntladi.

The M7 was temporarily closed while emergency personnel carried out rescue operations and cleared the scene.

Once the operation was completed, the scene was handed over to the City of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department for further investigation into the cause of the crash.