Collision leaves 11 kids injured
Eleven children were injured in a motor vehicle accident after a motorist allegedly skipped a red traffic light and collided with other vehicles on the corner of Dorp and Marshall Street on Thursday morning.
POLOKWANE – Eleven children were injured in a motor vehicle accident after a motorist allegedly skipped a red traffic light and collided with other vehicles on the corner of Dorp and Marshall Street on Thursday morning.
Eight of the children are learners from Laerskool Chris Hofmeyr.
A person from the school who wished to stay anonymous said the children were taken to hospital.
“The children are still in a lot of pain according to their parents, but recovering well.
“One child, a five-year-old gr. R learner, is still in hospital. She was unconscious after the accident and taken to the Mankweng Hospital for a brain scan. The results of her scan showed no injuries to the brain and that she will be okay.
“She regained consciousness, but injured her tongue badly and needed stitches. She will be discharged from hospital soon.”
Some of the children were back at school while others were still recovering at home.
“We are not sure when they will be back at school.
“The children who were involved in the accident are in gr. 1, 3, 4, 6 and 7. We wish them a speedy recovery.
“We would also like to urge motorists to be more cautious and to adhere to the rules of the road at all times when using public roads, to ensure the safety of all road users,” the source said.
The source also confirmed that there were two learners from Flora Park Comprehensive High School and a learner from Flora Park Comprehensive Primary School who were also involved in the accident. These learners were also taken to hospital with injuries, and discharged the same day.
According to Polokwane police spokesperson, Capt Ntobeng Phala, there were three vehicles involved in the accident of which two were transporting school children.
He said two of the vehicles seemingly met head-on at the Dorp and Marshall Street intersection after the other vehicle allegedly skipped a red traffic light.
The drivers lost control of their vehicles and one collided with a stationed vehicle, and the other vehicle hit a nearby tree.
According to a person at the scene, 11 children were injured, however, Phala said the number of injured children was nine.
“One of the drivers and eight children were injured and taken to hospital with different injuries. We are investigating a case of reckless and negligent driving. No arrests have been made yet,” Phala said.
Jack Mokobi, spokesperson for the department of education, expressed his regret over the accident and wished the learners a speedy recovery.
