SASOLBURG – A school run turned into tragedy on Thursday afternoon when a head-on collision between a scholar transport vehicle and a truck on the R59 between Sasolburg and Vaalpark claimed the lives of four people, including three young children.
The crash occurred at about 15:15 when a Volkswagen Caravelle carrying pupils collided with a Mercedes-Benz truck.
Fezile Dabi District Police spokesperson Sergeant Josephine Rani confirmed that the adult male driver, aged 60, along with a young girl and two boys aged between six and nine, were declared dead at the scene.
Several other children sustained injuries in the devastating accident. One boy was airlifted to a hospital in Alberton, while three other children suffering from serious injuries were rushed to local hospitals for urgent medical attention.
The truck driver survived the crash.
“The circumstances surrounding the collision are still under investigation. A case of culpable homicide has been opened at Sasolburg Police Station,” Rani said.
This latest tragedy has reignited serious concerns regarding road safety along the R59, a route known for previous fatal crashes involving heavy trucks.
In August, another motorist was killed in a head-on collision with a truck on the same stretch of road, leaving local communities demanding answers and urgent safety improvements.
