The Greater Brakpan Skool Learner Transport Association came together for a candlelight vigil on the morning of January 23, in memory of the 14 children who died following an accident between a scholar transport minibus taxi and a truck in Vanderbijlpark in the Vaal.

The crash took place on January 19, setting a sombre tone for the new school year and leaving the nation deeply shaken.

Twelve learners died at the scene of the crash and five were taken to hospitals for medical treatment. One was later discharged.

Two others succumbed to their injuries on January 22. The scholar transport driver (22) was hospitalised and later released. The local vigil was held in the old Brakpan Mall behind Shoprite.

@brakpan_herald

The aftershocks of the tragic Vanderbijlpark accident are still felt countrywide, with scholar transport associations everywhere mourning the loss with vigils such as this one. #accident #vanderbijlpark #tragedy #brakpan

♬ original sound – Brakpan_Herald

Those in attendance held candles and wore orange-coloured awareness ribbons along with their association uniforms. Family members, community members and passersby joined in support.

Gospel songs were sung and a prayer was held for the families of the lost children and for safe scholar transport nationwide.

The scholar transport driver has been arrested and appeared in the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate’s Court on January 22.

He has been charged with 14 counts of murder, three counts of attempted murder, one count of driving without a valid professional driving permit, and one count of driving an unlicensed motor vehicle.

The case has been postponed to March 5.