A Pietermaritzburg child has died and another is in critical condition after a boundary wall collapsed on the two children while they were sitting opposite a local school in Bombay Heights yesterday.

The Witness reported yesterday that initial reports from Midlands EMS spokesperson Roland Robertson stated that the crews were dispatched to Springvale Road following reports of the wall collapse. Both learners are believed to be in Grade Six at a school nearby.

“Upon arrival, paramedics found that a 12-year-old child had sustained fatal injuries and was declared deceased on the scene. Another child was in critical condition and received advanced treatment from paramedics before being transported to the hospital for further care,” he says.

Authorities were at the scene investigating the incident.

It is believed that the children, who live in the neighbourhood, were sitting in the shade of the palm trees when the wall fell on them.

Emergency services, police, community policing forum members and the school principal were all at the scene yesterday.

No further information was available at the time of publishing.