A Grade 12 learner from Mbonambi Secondary School in Kwambonambi, north of Durban, was tragically killed on Saturday evening after being struck by a train.

In a statement, the KZN Department of Education said the police and a forensic team retrieved the body at the scene for identification.

The department’s spokesperson, Muzi Mahlambi, says officials from the King Cetshwayo District visited the school yesterday, where full trauma and counselling support were offered to the learners.

Mahlambi adds that the Department’s Special Needs Services will today monitor the examinations, and will simultaneously ‘give further support and will be hands-on’, should learners experience trauma and anxiety.

Education MEC Sipho Hlomuka encourages learners to take all necessary precautions and safety measures at all times.

“As a department, we are shocked and saddened by this tragic loss of our Grade 12 [pupil] during the third week of the National Senior Certificate examinations. Our heartfelt condolences to the family, [pupils], and staff of Mbonambi Secondary School,” adds Hlomuka.