VIDEO: Fatal scholar transport crash leaves families devastated
The deceased learners attended Tom Newby Primary School, Rynfield Primary School and Griffcats Tutor Centre.
Family members of four primary school boys who died in a horrific crash on the N12 west just before the Putfontein Road off-ramp this morning (March 10) broke down as they identified their children after emergency personnel used the Jaws of Life to retrieve their lifeless bodies from the wreckage.
The deceased learners and four others, who resided in Daveyton and surrounding areas, were being transported to schools in Benoni by a woman in a Toyota Verso.
Two of the deceased children attended Tom Newby School and were related to each other, one was a learner at Rynfield Primary and another a learner at Griffcats Tutor Centre.
A Grade Three girl from Rynfield Primary is reportedly in critical condition, along with three other children, who were admitted to hospital for urgent medical care.
The children’s names are known to Benoni City Times but some of their names are being withheld at this stage due to the next of kin not yet being notified.
According to Ekurhuleni Disaster and Emergency Management Services spokesperson William Ntladi, authorities received reports of a collision on the N12 at around 07:45.
“When we arrived at the scene, we found a scholar transport vehicle, a Toyota Verso, and a private vehicle, a Toyota Hilux bakkie. Children were trapped in the scholar transport vehicle.
“Four of the children were declared dead while another four were transported to the hospital with serious injuries. The driver of the scholar transport was not injured.
“The female driver of the second vehicle, the Hilux, sustained critical injuries and she was also extricated from the wreckage before being airlifted to a nearby hospital.”
The cause of the accident remains unknown and police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the tragic crash.
According to unconfirmed reports, it is suspected that the accident may have been linked to disruption caused by a naked man who was seen standing in the middle of the highway between Putfontein and Snake Road just before 07:00. This man was reportedly taken to Daveyton SAPS.
When the City Times arrived at the scene of the accident at around 10:30, the road remained closed to traffic as authorities worked to clear the wreckage.
Bonnie Zitha, the uncle of one of the deceased learners, Lubanzi Nhlapo, a Grade One learner at Rynfield Primary, described him as a bubbly child who loved playing soccer.
@benonicitytimes UPDATE: Reports from the scene indicate that the vehicle involved in the crash is a scholar transport. #Daveyton #Benoni #benonitiktok #Gauteng
“I saw him on March 9 when we gathered at home to celebrate his father’s birthday. He said he was happy as he played soccer with his friends outside. We are still shattered as a family,” Zitha said.
The MMC for Community Safety in Ekurhuleni, Clr Sizakele Masuku, also arrived at the scene to comfort the families of the children.
“We are saddened as a City to witness young lives lost on the road under unknown circumstances. The country has been robbed because we expected so much from them. We send our deepest condolences to the affected families,” said Masuku.
Masuku declined to provide details on whether the scholar transport had overloaded passengers, stating that their department would await an official report to obtain the necessary information.
Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane revealed in a statement that the department has dispatched the Psycho-Social Support Unit to Tom Newby and Rynfield Primary Schools to provide immediate counselling services to learners and educators in the aftermath of this devastating incident.
Also Read: Fatal N12 accident: Family of deceased says victim was humble and compassionate
Also Read: FOLLOW-UP: Authorities to investigate fatal N12 accident
